Rising since 1985, #363 for boys today.
Popularity of Anderson since 1880
Babies named Anderson per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 430 |
| 1890s | 415 |
| 1900s | 414 |
| 1910s | 1,058 |
| 1920s | 1,369 |
| 1930s | 981 |
| 1940s | 1,027 |
| 1950s | 1,034 |
| 1960s | 749 |
| 1970s | 736 |
| 1980s | 909 |
| 1990s | 1,652 |
| 2000s | 5,766 |
| 2010s | 11,511 |
| 2020s | 5,940 |
Meaning & origin
Anderson is a patronymic surname turned given name, meaning 'son of Andrew.' Though it has been in use since the 19th century, it was relatively rare until the surname-as-first-name trend gained momentum in the 1980s. Since 1985, its popularity has been steadily rising, reaching a peak in 2012. In 2025, the name ranked 363rd, with about 1 in 1,902 boys receiving the name. The name is especially common in southern states like Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Its enduring appeal lies in its solid, surname-like sound and the familiar nickname options like Andy or Sonny.
Anderson is a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Andrew,' derived from the personal name Andrew (from Greek Andreas, 'manly'). It emerged in Scotland and northern England during the medieval period as a common way to denote lineage. As a given name, Anderson gained traction in the United States during the 20th century, particularly in the South, where it followed the trend of using surnames as first names.
Where Anderson is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Anderson” around the world
Where Anderson lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ander, Andy, Sonny
Sibling names for Anderson
Names that share Anderson's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Anderson
Names whose popularity has moved with Anderson's over the last 50 years.
