Carlson Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: CARL-sun //ˈkɑːrlsən//
Origin: English; Scandinavian
Meaning: Son of Carl; free man
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Carlson is of Scandinavian origin, derived from the surname Carlsson, which means 'son of Carl.' The name Carl itself has roots in the Old Germanic name Karl, which means 'free man' or 'man.' This etymological lineage can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic *karla, which signifies a man or a husband, and it evolved through various forms in different languages, including the Latin Carolus. The transition into English occurred as these names were brought to England by Scandinavian settlers during the Viking Age and later through the influence of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.
Historically, the name Carl has been borne by several notable figures, including Charlemagne (Charles the Great), who was a significant ruler in the early Middle Ages and is often associated with the Carolingian Renaissance. The name gained prominence in various European cultures, particularly in the context of royalty and nobility.
The surname Carlson, as a patronymic form, became more common in the 19th century as surnames became standardized in Scandinavia, reflecting familial lineage. Culturally, the name Carlson carries connotations of strength and freedom, resonating with the original meaning of 'free man.' The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, often reflecting a sense of heritage and identity.
In addition to its use as a surname, Carlson can also be found as a given name, sometimes appearing in diminutive forms such as Carl or Charlie, which have their own historical significance. Overall, the name Carlson encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural heritage, representing a connection to both individual identity and familial lineage.
Famous people named Carlson
In this section, you will find notable people named Carlson. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Carlson who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Carlson who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Carlson Young is an actress best known for The Bling Ring, Scream: The TV Series, and The Night Shift.
Carlson Gracie was a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner best known for founding the Gracie Barra Academy and his contributions to martial arts.
Carlson T. Johnson is a musician best known for his work with the band The Black Crowes.
Fictional characters named Carlson
The following list of fictional characters named Carlson is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Carlson is a fictional character from the animated series The Jetsons. He is a robot who serves as the family's housekeeper and assistant.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Carlson, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Carlson. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Carlson was first seen in the United States in 1920.
Carlson has ranked as high as #10863 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in California, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Carlson has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Carlson is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Carlson was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Carlson.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5 |
| 2024 | 14 | 14 |
| 2023 | 12 | 12 |
| 2021 | 12 | 12 |
| 2020 | 8 | 8 |
| 2019 | 13 | 13 |
| 2018 | 11 | 11 |
| 2017 | 18 | 18 |
| 2016 | 19 | 19 |
| 2015 | 17 | 17 |
| 2014 | 15 | 15 |
| 2013 | 10 | 10 |
| 2012 | 9 | 9 |
| 2011 | 12 | 12 |
| 2010 | 9 | 9 |
| 2009 | 8 | 8 |
| 2008 | 11 | 11 |
| 2007 | 9 | 9 |
| 2006 | 14 | 14 |
| 2005 | 12 | 12 |
| 2004 | 13 | 13 |
| 2003 | 10 | 10 |
| 2002 | 13 | 13 |
| 2001 | 12 | 12 |
| 2000 | 15 | 15 |
| 1999 | 6 | 6 |
| 1998 | 15 | 15 |
| 1997 | 7 | 7 |
| 1996 | 6 | 6 |
| 1995 | 11 | 11 |
| 1994 | 8 | 8 |
| 1993 | 8 | 8 |
| 1992 | 11 | 11 |
| 1991 | 10 | 10 |
| 1990 | 10 | 10 |
| 1989 | 8 | 8 |
| 1988 | 11 | 11 |
| 1987 | 7 | 7 |
| 1986 | 5 | 5 |
| 1985 | 5 | 5 |
| 1984 | 6 | 6 |
| 1983 | 7 | 7 |
| 1981 | 5 | 5 |
| 1975 | 6 | 6 |
| 1974 | 15 | 15 |
| 1973 | 7 | 7 |
| 1972 | 6 | 6 |
| 1971 | 6 | 6 |
| 1970 | 7 | 7 |
| 1969 | 7 | 7 |
| 1968 | 7 | 7 |
| 1967 | 5 | 5 |
| 1965 | 5 | 5 |
| 1963 | 8 | 8 |
| 1961 | 8 | 8 |
| 1960 | 13 | 13 |
| 1959 | 13 | 13 |
| 1958 | 5 | 5 |
| 1957 | 8 | 8 |
| 1956 | 5 | 5 |
| 1955 | 7 | 7 |
| 1954 | 12 | 12 |
| 1953 | 7 | 7 |
| 1952 | 10 | 10 |
| 1951 | 5 | 5 |
| 1949 | 9 | 9 |
| 1948 | 9 | 9 |
| 1947 | 7 | 7 |
| 1946 | 6 | 6 |
| 1945 | 5 | 5 |
| 1944 | 10 | 10 |
| 1943 | 11 | 11 |
| 1941 | 7 | 7 |
| 1939 | 7 | 7 |
| 1938 | 8 | 8 |
| 1936 | 8 | 8 |
| 1929 | 8 | 8 |
| 1928 | 6 | 6 |
| 1926 | 5 | 5 |
| 1924 | 6 | 6 |
| 1921 | 6 | 6 |
| 1920 | 10 | 10 |
Top States for Carlson (2017)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |