Declining since 2019, #453 for boys today.
Popularity of Karson since 1966
Babies named Karson per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 0 | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 | 40 |
| 1980s | 5 | 149 |
| 1990s | 462 | 694 |
| 2000s | 678 | 3,939 |
| 2010s | 661 | 10,704 |
| 2020s | 300 | 5,863 |
Meaning & origin
Karson entered the U.S. baby name charts in 1966 and has since built a steady, if modest, following. Its peak year came in 2020 when the name reached rank 453, but since 2019 its trajectory has been falling, a pattern common among trendy spellings that lose steam over time. The name is most popular in southern states, with Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky showing the highest usage. At a rate of 1 in 2,475 births, Karson remains a recognizable yet uncommon choice, appealing to parents who want a name with Scottish roots and a modern twist.
Karson is a modern spelling variant of Carson, a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic 'carr' meaning 'rock' or 'fort', combined with 'son', thus denoting 'son of Carr'. The name Carr itself originates from a place name or a topographic term for a rocky area. As a given name, Carson emerged in the late 20th century, and the Karson spelling became popular in the early 2000s as part of the trend for names starting with 'K'.
Where Karson 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.
“Karson” around the world
Where Karson lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kar, Sonny
Sibling names for Karson
Names that share Karson's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Mackenzie, Harper, Piper, Avery, Quinn, Blakley, Brayley, Jailey, Karlei, Kenzli, Kinslie, Klarisa, Makinsley, Parklynn, Reighlyn, Reighlynn, Zaleigh, Karcyn, Brynlei, Brynnly, Kampbell, Kinnley, Kortlynn, Makenly, Preslynn, Rayelynn
Brothers: Carson, Cooper, Parker, Landon, Ethan, Eastyn, Kyson, Kasyn, Kendric, Klay, Brylen, Bryston, Jayton, Kadarius, Kendale, Korban, Karsin, Kahle, Kartel, Kyier
Names like Karson
Names whose popularity has moved with Karson's over the last 50 years.
