Holding steady, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Carlson since 1920
Babies named Carlson per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 41 |
| 1930s | 23 |
| 1940s | 64 |
| 1950s | 72 |
| 1960s | 53 |
| 1970s | 47 |
| 1980s | 54 |
| 1990s | 92 |
| 2000s | 117 |
| 2010s | 133 |
| 2020s | 51 |
Meaning & origin
Carlson is a patronymic surname turned given name, rooted in the Scandinavian tradition of using 'son of' names. In the U.S., it first appeared on birth certificates in 1920 and has remained a rare but steady choice, with a slight uptick in the 2010s. Its peak year was 2016, and as of 2025 it ranks 12,008 with an estimated 1 in 341,615 boys receiving the name. The trajectory has been stable over the past decade. While not common enough to have a dominant state pattern, Carlson appeals to parents seeking a surname-style first name with a clear, strong sound. It shares the '-son' suffix trend with names like Anderson and Harrison, but remains less common than those, offering a distinctive choice.
Carlson is a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Carl,' derived from the Germanic name Carl (meaning 'free man'). It originated in Scandinavia and was brought to English-speaking countries through immigration. As a given name, it is relatively modern, used primarily in the United States since the early 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Carl, Sonny
Variants: Karlson, Carlsson, Karlsson
Sibling names for Carlson
Names that share Carlson's style, for a brother or sister.
