A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Hanson since 1883
Babies named Hanson per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2018, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Hanson's real moment was 1883.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 21 |
| 1910s | 64 |
| 1920s | 97 |
| 1930s | 75 |
| 1940s | 90 |
| 1950s | 80 |
| 1960s | 60 |
| 1970s | 65 |
| 1980s | 126 |
| 1990s | 192 |
| 2000s | 307 |
| 2010s | 415 |
| 2020s | 237 |
Meaning & origin
Hanson is a patronymic surname turned given name, meaning 'son of Hans.' It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1883, which also marks its peak year. After a long decline, the name has been rising in popularity since 1987, reaching a rank of 2,991 in 2025. That year, roughly 1 in 41,660 newborn boys received the name, with the strongest usage in California and Texas. Its revival aligns with the broader trend of using surnames as first names, and it remains uncommon enough to feel distinctive.
Hanson is a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Hans,' where Hans is a German and Scandinavian short form of Johannes (John). As a given name, it follows the tradition of adopting surnames as first names, particularly in English-speaking countries. The name has been used as a first name since the 19th century, with early records in the United States dating to the 1880s.
Where Hanson is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Han, Sonny
Variants: Hansen, Hanssen
Sibling names for Hanson
Names that share Hanson's style, for a brother or sister.
