A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Henderson since 1880
Babies named Henderson per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Henderson's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 160 |
| 1890s | 168 |
| 1900s | 175 |
| 1910s | 496 |
| 1920s | 619 |
| 1930s | 419 |
| 1940s | 401 |
| 1950s | 349 |
| 1960s | 219 |
| 1970s | 153 |
| 1980s | 155 |
| 1990s | 154 |
| 2000s | 174 |
| 2010s | 306 |
| 2020s | 345 |
Meaning & origin
Henderson is an English patronymic surname turned given name, meaning "son of Henry." Its earliest recorded use as a first name in U.S. Social Security data dates to 1880, and it saw its peak popularity in 1882. After a long decline, it has been rising again since 2005, reflecting a broader trend of surname-names for boys. In recent years, it has been most popular in Ohio and Texas. The typical bearer today is 1 in 34,162 boys, a rarity that appeals to parents seeking a distinguished but uncommon name.
Henderson is an English patronymic surname meaning "son of Henry." Henry derives from the Germanic name Heimirich, composed of heim "home" and ric "power, ruler." The surname emerged in Scotland and northern England, where it was often used as a given name in honor of family clans.
Where Henderson is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hendy, Hen, Sonny
Sibling names for Henderson
Names that share Henderson's style, for a brother or sister.
