Nelson: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced NEL-suhn · 2 syllables
Nelson means “son of Nicholas”, from English.
From Middle English Neil + -son and Nell + -son. * In the United States, also an Anglicisation of North Germanic (Scandinavian) surnames such as Nilsen, Nielsen, and Nilsson, equivalent to "son of Nicholas".
- Meaning
- son of Nicholas
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- NEL-suhn
- US rank (2025)
- #824
- US babies a year
- about 324 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 1880
- Style
- Vintage, Classic
How popular is Nelson?
Nelson was the #824 name in the US in 2025, given to 300 babies. Its use has been fairly steady over the last decade. It peaked around 1880.
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #824 |
| France | #602 |
| Canada | #917 |
| Australia | #913 |
How old are people named Nelson?
Half of US adults named Nelson are older than 52; most are between 21 and 83. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Nelson
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Nelson have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
- Milton
- Eddie
- Fabio
Names like Nelson
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
Questions about Nelson
What does the name Nelson mean?
Nelson means “son of Nicholas”. It comes from English.
How do you pronounce Nelson?
Nelson is pronounced NEL-suhn.
How popular is the name Nelson?
Nelson was the #824 name in the US in 2025, given to 300 babies. Its use has been fairly steady over the last decade. It peaked around 1880.
How old are people named Nelson?
Half of US adults named Nelson are older than 52. Most are between 21 and 83.