Nelson
Nelson is of English origin, meaning 'son of Neil' or 'son of the champion.' It evolved from a patronymic surname into a distinguished given name with strong historical and cultural resonance.
Current Popularity
Popularity over time
Dashed bar: 2026 (projected): 293. How this is calculated
Yearly values
- 2011: 457
- 2012: 466
- 2013: 442
- 2014: 409
- 2015: 426
- 2016: 431
- 2017: 411
- 2018: 374
- 2019: 407
- 2020: 388
- 2021: 358
- 2022: 315
- 2023: 311
- 2024: 323
- 2025: 300
- 2026 (projected): 293
Good to Know
- •Easy to spell and pronounce across most languages
- •Strong surname-to-first-name crossover with professional appeal
- •Carries associations with leadership and heroism through Nelson Mandela
- •Works well in both formal and casual settings
Similar Names
Famous People
Nelson Mandela
South African President and Anti-Apartheid Revolutionary
Nelson Rockefeller
Former U.S. Vice President and Philanthropist
Willie Nelson
Country Music Legend and Singer-Songwriter
Nelson Piquet
Three-Time Formula One World Champion
Statistics
79,709
Total births since 1880
1959
Peak year
Discovery
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