Rising since 1986, #4,396 for boys today.
Popularity of Tennyson since 1913
Babies named Tennyson per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 60 |
| 1920s | 0 | 64 |
| 1930s | 0 | 35 |
| 1940s | 0 | 40 |
| 1950s | 0 | 36 |
| 1960s | 0 | 19 |
| 1970s | 0 | 50 |
| 1980s | 0 | 18 |
| 1990s | 0 | 95 |
| 2000s | 77 | 207 |
| 2010s | 245 | 401 |
| 2020s | 76 | 163 |
Meaning & origin
Tennyson is a literary surname name that has been in occasional use as a first name since the early 20th century, first recorded in the U.S. in 1913. It reached its peak popularity in 2014, and has been on a rising trajectory since 1986. As of 2025, it ranks 4,396, with about 1 in every 74,264 newborns receiving the name. The name is most strongly associated with Alfred, Lord Tennyson, the British Poet Laureate, giving it a scholarly and artistic aura. Its gentle sound and poetic heritage have made it appealing to parents seeking a distinctive yet classic name. While not tied to any specific state in top usage, it has found favor across the country among literature-loving families.
Tennyson is a transferred use of the English surname, which itself derives from the medieval given name 'Dennis' (from Latin Dionysius, 'follower of the god Dionysus') plus the patronymic suffix '-son'. The name became famous via the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892), and it has been used as a first name in his honor since the late 19th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tenny, Ten
Sibling names for Tennyson
Names that share Tennyson's style, for a brother or sister.
