Declining since 2019, #1,451 for boys today.
Popularity of Pierson since 1912
Babies named Pierson per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 40 |
| 1920s | 28 |
| 1930s | 16 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 10 |
| 1980s | 88 |
| 1990s | 269 |
| 2000s | 891 |
| 2010s | 1,349 |
| 2020s | 814 |
Meaning & origin
Pierson, a patronymic surname meaning "son of Piers," entered the U.S. naming landscape in 1912. As of 2025, it ranks 1451st with roughly 1 in every 13,887 newborn boys receiving the name. Its peak popularity occurred in 2020, also at rank 1451, and the name has been falling in use since 2019. Pierson is most common in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Michigan. Like many surname-inspired given names, it carries a straightforward, strong quality that appeals to parents seeking a familiar yet distinctive choice.
Pierson is a patronymic surname derived from Piers, a medieval English and French form of Peter. The name Peter comes from the Greek petros, meaning "rock" or "stone." As a given name, Pierson gained modest use in the United States beginning in the early 20th century, often chosen as a surname-as-first-name.
Where Pierson is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Piers, Pier, Sonny
Variants: Pearson, Piersson
Sibling names for Pierson
Names that share Pierson's style, for a brother or sister.
