Boy name · English
Anderson
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: son of AndrewAnderson is a boy's name that comes from English and means "son of Andrew". It is used in English.
- Meaning
- Son of Andrew
- Origin
- English
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #363 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Anderson
As a boy's name, Anderson comes from English and means "son of Andrew". It is used in English.
Anderson is also a surname: the 15th most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 756,560 people. See the most common last names.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Anderson on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Anderson on 2 lists.
“Son of Andrew; English. Honors an Andrew”
From Boy middle names, surname middle names for boys
“Son of Andrew, Scotland's patron saint”
From Scottish last names, most common Scottish surnames
How popular is Anderson?
- US rank in 2025
- #363
- 898 babies, 526 per million boys
- Best rank
- #215 in 1882
- Most babies: 1,249 in 2012
- Babies since 1880
- At least 33,991
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 393 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 364 per million |
| 1900s | 305 per million |
| 1910s | 158 per million |
| 1920s | 124 per million |
| 1930s | 93 per million |
| 1940s | 69 per million |
| 1950s | 51 per million |
| 1960s | 39 per million |
| 1970s | 45 per million |
| 1980s | 49 per million |
| 1990s | 85 per million |
| 2000s | 289 per million |
| 2010s | 612 per million |
| 2020s | 573 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #304 | #294 | #297 | #318 | #306 | #328 | #337 | #332 | #356 | #363 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Names spelled like Anderson
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- AndersManly, brave (Greek, boy)
Middle names for Anderson
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from English
- AinsleyFrom a place named for a solitary or hermitage clearing (English, unisex)
- ArmstrongStrong in the arm (English, boy)
- JacksonFrom a surname meaning son of Jack (English, boy)
- ScottFrom Scotland (English, boy)
- AceFrom the English word ace, highest rank (English, boy)
- AdairFrom a surname derived from Edgar (English, unisex)
- ArloMeaning uncertain; perhaps from Spenser's Arlo Hill (English, boy)
- AyrtonSettlement on the River Aire (English, boy)
- BayA sheltered curve of coast (English, unisex)
- BensonFrom a surname meaning son of Benedict (English, boy)
- BrysonFrom a surname meaning son of Brice (English, boy)
- CarterCart driver (English, boy)
- CedarFragrant evergreen tree (English, boy)
- ColterFrom a surname for a keeper of horses (English, boy)
- CooperBarrel maker (English, boy)
- CrewFrom the English word crew, a group of people (English, boy)
- DawsonSon of David (English, boy)
- EllisonSon of Ellis (English, unisex)
Anderson: common questions
What does the name Anderson mean?
Anderson comes from English and means "son of Andrew".
Is Anderson a boy or girl name?
Anderson is mainly a boy's name. In 2025, 181 girls and 898 boys in the US were named Anderson, according to Social Security Administration data.
Where does the name Anderson come from?
Anderson comes from English and means "son of Andrew". Today it is used in English.
How popular is the name Anderson?
Anderson ranked #363 in the US in 2025, with 898 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What names are similar to Anderson?
Names spelled like Anderson include Anders.
What middle names go with Anderson?
Middle names that flow well with Anderson include Chase, Elton, Ethan, Heath and Henry. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.