A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Orson since 1880
Babies named Orson per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2023, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Orson's real moment was 1883.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 65 |
| 1890s | 39 |
| 1900s | 7 |
| 1910s | 184 |
| 1920s | 179 |
| 1930s | 126 |
| 1940s | 137 |
| 1950s | 139 |
| 1960s | 111 |
| 1970s | 146 |
| 1980s | 89 |
| 1990s | 61 |
| 2000s | 138 |
| 2010s | 585 |
| 2020s | 708 |
Meaning & origin
Orson, meaning 'little bear', is a name with deep English roots, derived from the Norman French 'ors'. It first appeared on U.S. records in 1880 and peaked early, ranking 1425 by 1883. After a long decline, it has been rising again since 1993, reflecting a broader taste for vintage, sturdy names. Its 1-in-13,556 birth rate makes it rare but known. The name is especially favored in Washington, Minnesota, and Colorado, and its revival aligns with a renewed interest in 19th-century classics. Orson manages to feel both distinguished and approachable, anchored by its bearish charm.
Orson is derived from the Norman French word 'ors', meaning 'bear', combined with a diminutive suffix. It was introduced to England after the Conquest and occasionally used as a given name, partly due to the influence of the Italian name Orsino. It experienced a revival in the 20th century, notably through the filmmaker Orson Welles.
Where Orson is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Orson” around the world
Where Orson lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Orrie, Sonny
Sibling names for Orson
Names that share Orson's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Olive, Esther, Vivian, Lydia, Clara, Almeta, Lynetta, Neysa, Nona, Anona, Cozetta, Equilla, Lenetta, Odessie, Odetta, Orlena, Ovella, Acquanetta, Ellaree, Glenora, Lucill, Moselle, Orvilla, Venora, Alleta, Alveria, Andora, Endora, Lenoria, Marveline, Mava, Novis, Odesser, Orella, Orilla, Ortha, Sanora, Syvilla, Tenna, Wynonia, Zilphia
Brothers: Oscar, Otis, Felix, Hugo, Miles, Almon, Alvah, Arland, Arlon, Arvel, Barton, Collis, Cree, Dean, Edric, Elson, Orlin, Tanis, Adron, Dashiel, Hillis, Hubbard, Kove, Lamoine, Metro, Olvin, Ovie, Philo, Rulon, Volney, Arvell, Arwin, Carvell, Delmore, Dorwin, Erlin, Fillmore, Hersey, Jarvin, Motley, Orbin, Orell, Trampus, Valmore, Merlon, Argel, Aulden, Byford, Coolidge, Doren, Durant, Ferron, Marvon, Neldon, Norlan, Ordean, Orlander, Orvell, Royel, Voris, Woodruff
