Declining since 2017, #152 for boys today.
Popularity of Bryson since 1914
Babies named Bryson per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 36 |
| 1920s | 96 |
| 1930s | 85 |
| 1940s | 112 |
| 1950s | 109 |
| 1960s | 139 |
| 1970s | 470 |
| 1980s | 2,189 |
| 1990s | 5,919 |
| 2000s | 19,067 |
| 2010s | 38,648 |
| 2020s | 16,371 |
Meaning & origin
Bryson emerged as a given name in the early 20th century, with its first recorded use in 1914. It gained substantial popularity in the 1990s and 2000s, peaking at rank 98 in 2017. Since then, its trajectory has been falling, but it remains well used, ranking 152nd in 2025 with a frequency of 1 in 707. The name is most popular in South Dakota, West Virginia, and New Hampshire, reflecting a broad geographic appeal across the United States. Bryson's modern sound and surname style make it a typical choice for parents seeking a strong, masculine name with a clean, familiar feel.
Bryson is a patronymic surname turned given name, ultimately derived from the Welsh ap Rhys ('son of Rhys'), which became Price and later Bryson through phonetic change. It also arose independently as a variant of Brice's son. As a first name, it gained traction in the late 20th century, part of the trend favoring surnames as forenames.
Where Bryson 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.
“Bryson” around the world
Where Bryson lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
8
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bry, Sonny
Sibling names for Bryson
Names that share Bryson's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Peyton, Avery, Harper, Kendall, Morgan, Karsyn, Raegan, Brailyn, Brinlee, Brylie, Brynleigh, Harlyn, Kenleigh, Presleigh, Ambrea, Ashlan, Aubrea, Brileigh, Bryley, Brylynn, Brynnleigh, Bryonna, Daleysa, Dilyn, Heavenlee, Jaelene, Jaylie, Kearston, Kynli, Laiklyn, Maesyn, Mikeyla, Skylie, Skylin, Tyleah, Tyleigh, Tylynn, Wrenly, Zailey, Aslin, Bailea, Blakleigh, Brenae, Brinleigh, Bryelle, Brylea, Bryndle, Brystal, Emaree, Embrie, Hazelyn, Kimbella, Mabrey, Mackinley, Macyn, Makalyn, Nyleah, Ryelee, Suttyn, Wesleigh, Wrynlee, Yaileen, Zykerria, Brehanna, Britley, Bryona, Gracynn, Rhealynn, Addilyne, Annastyn, Aryka, Audryna, Avyonna, Brayah, Briawna, Brightyn, Brinklee, Britlyn, Bryauna, Bryella, Bryla, Bryli, Brylyn, Caisley, Camree, Cierah, Copelyn, Daleyssa, Francely, Kaydynce, Kesleigh, Kylina, Laityn, Laneah, Laylynn, Lylee, Madysyn, Mairely, Makylie, Mckynlie, Meyli, Peightyn, Raelie, Ravynn, Raylei, Shaely, Yunique, Zaylei, Zayonna, Zyrielle
Brothers: Carson, Jackson, Mason, Brady, Colton, Chason, Braxtyn, Brylan, Coltyn, Jettson, Kartier, Kelson, Kysen, Rylen, Tylan, Braydin, Breyon, Brydon, Brylen, Bryston, Casyn, Holdyn, Jaevion, Kingslee, Kyland, Kyrian, Maeson, Taysom, Tylon, Wacey, Waylin, Braison, Brantly, Breion, Breyson, Bryler, Brylon, Caymen, Chanson, Dayden, Jaimeson, Kayon, Rhylen, Ryson, Traxton, Treylon, Bensyn, Dreon, Jakolby, Axtyn, Ayvion, Bralin, Braxley, Brinson, Brittian, Brylin, Cashten, Cylan, Dayvin, Graysyn, Grayton, Jaton, Jayshun, Kardell, Kedron, Keiland, Klayten, Myshawn, Tayron, Trason, Zhyaire
Names like Bryson
Names whose popularity has moved with Bryson's over the last 50 years.
