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Name Lineage

    The first name Carson

    A boy’s name meaning “carr”, “carra”, “rock”.

    Pronounced /ˈkɑɹ.sən/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Carson means “carr”, “carra”, “rock”.

    Could originate from the Gaelic name "Carr" or "Carra", meaning "rock" or "fort," combined with "son", thus "son of Carr.".

    More names that mean mountain.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 101 boys were named Carson, making it the 401st most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2022, with 157 births (#285).

    0100200 1996200020052010201520202025
    2,234
    babies named Carson, 1996–2025
    #401
    rank in 2025
    2022
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Carson with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Carson at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 2,883 boys born in the United States were named Carson, the 124th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2018, when 5,259 were.

    03,0006,000 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    140,887
    babies named Carson since 1880
    #124
    rank in 2025
    2018
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Other spellings and forms

    Famous people named Carson

    17 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Carson McCullers
      American writer (1917–1967)
    • Carson Kressley
      American television personality, fashion designer, born 1969
    • Carson Daly
      American television and radio personality and producer, born 1973
    • Carson Wentz
      American football player (born 1992)
    • Carson Foster
      American swimmer, born 2001
    • Carson Palmer
      American football player (born 1979)
    • Wayne Carson
      American singer-songwriter, 1943–2015
    • Carson Tyler
      American diver, born 2004
    • Mary Carson Breckinridge
      American nurse (1881–1965)
    • Carson Cistulli
      American poet and writer, born 1979
    • Carson Grant
      American actor, born 1950
    • Carson Schwesinger
      American football player, born 2003

    Questions

    What does the name Carson mean?
    Carson means “carr”, “carra”, “rock”.
    How popular is the name Carson?
    In 2025, 101 boys born in England and Wales were named Carson, ranking 401st. Its peak was 2022, with 157 births.
    Is Carson a boy's or a girl's name?
    Both. Of the 140,887 US babies named Carson since 1880, 6% were girls and 94% boys.
    When was Carson most popular?
    2018 in the United States, when 5,259 babies were named Carson, its highest rank at 70th.
    How do you pronounce Carson?
    Carson is /ˈkɑɹ.sən/, 2 syllables.
    What are other spellings of Carson?
    Carsen and Karson.
    Is Carson also a surname?
    Yes. Carson is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.