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Name Lineage

    The first name Watson

    A boy’s name.

    2 syllables Male Also a surname

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    Watson last appeared in the official list in 2024, given to 3 boys. It peaked in 2019, with 16 births (#1,506).

    01020 1996200020052010201520202025
    59
    babies named Watson, 1996–2025
    #5,119
    rank in 2024
    2019
    peak year

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

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Watson at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 224 boys born in the United States were named Watson, the 1,011th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2021, when 466 were.

    0250500 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    6,721
    babies named Watson since 1880
    #1,011
    rank in 2025
    2021
    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.

    Famous people named Watson

    10 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • John Watson Foster
      American lawyer, politician and diplomat (1836-1917)
    • Frank Watson Dyson
      English astronomer and Astronomer Royal (1868–1939)
    • Watson Washburn
      American tennis player (1894–1973)
    • Watson C. Squire
      American politician (Republican) (1838–1926)
    • Richard Watson Gilder
      American poet (1844–1909)
    • James Cronin
      American physicist, 1931–2016
    • Sallie W. Chisholm
      American oceanographer, marine biologist, born 1947
    • Trey Gowdy
      American politician and political commentator, born 1964
    • E. W. Howe
      American novelist and editor (1853-1937)
    • Christopher W. Grady
      12th Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, born 1962

    Questions

    How popular is the name Watson?
    In 2024, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Watson, ranking 5,119th. Its peak was 2019, with 16 births.
    Is Watson a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 6,721 US babies named Watson since 1880 were boys.
    When was Watson most popular?
    2021 in the United States, when 466 babies were named Watson, its highest rank at 597th.
    Is Watson also a surname?
    Yes. Watson is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.