Nelson
Meaning & Origin
Meaning: Son of Neil; Champion
Background: The name Nelson originates from the English surname meaning 'son of Neil.' This surname itself has roots in the given name Neil, which is derived from the Old Gaelic 'Niall,' meaning 'champion.'
At a glance
Quick stats based on the history of this name.
Lifetime rank
#365
Total births
79,829
Most popular decade
1950s
(27,666 births)
10-year trend
↓ Falling (-131 ranks)
Years in Top 100
0
First recorded year
1880
Gender usage
99.5% male
0.5% female
Stats by gender
Male
- First year
- 1880
- First year births
- 99
- First year rank
- #137
- Peak year
- 1959
- Peak year births
- 1,083
- Peak rank
- #244
- Most recent year
- 2024
- Recent year births
- 322
- Recent rank
- #776
Female
- First year
- 1913
- First year births
- 5
- First year rank
- #3,187
- Peak year
- 1927
- Peak year births
- 13
- Peak rank
- #2,552
- Most recent year
- 2023
- Recent year births
- 6
- Recent rank
- #13,455
Births over time
Number of babies given this name each year.
Rank over time
Popularity rank by year (1 = most popular).