Carson Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: CAR-sun //ˈkɑːrsən//
Origin: Scottish; Irish
Meaning: Scottish: 'son of the marsh'; Irish: 'descendant of the marshy place'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Carson has its roots in the Scottish Gaelic surname "MacCarston," which translates to "son of Carr" or "son of the marshy place." The Gaelic word "carr" refers to a bog or marsh, indicating a geographical origin. The name evolved through various forms, including the Anglicized version "Carson," which became more prevalent in the English-speaking world, particularly in Scotland and Ireland, before making its way into broader English usage in the 19th century.
Historically, the name Carson is associated with several notable figures and events. One of the most significant milestones in its history is the emergence of Kit Carson in the 19th century, an American frontiersman and folk hero who played a crucial role in the westward expansion of the United States.
His exploits during the 1840s and 1850s contributed to the name's recognition in American culture. Additionally, the surname has been borne by various other prominent individuals, including politicians and military figures, further embedding it in the historical narrative.
Culturally, the name Carson carries connotations of strength and resilience, often associated with the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands and the pioneering spirit of the American West. The name has also been linked to themes of exploration and adventure, reflecting the characteristics of its most famous bearers.
Diminutive forms, such as "Carl" or "Cary," have occasionally been used, but the name Carson has maintained its distinct identity throughout its history. Overall, the name's etymological roots and historical significance contribute to its enduring presence in various cultures.
Famous people named Carson
In this section, you will find notable people named Carson. 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 Carson who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Carson 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.
Carson Daly is a television host and producer best known for The Voice, Total Request Live, and Last Call with Carson Daly.
Carson Wentz is a professional football player best known for playing quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles and winning Super Bowl LII.
Carson Kressley is a television personality and designer best known for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Drag Race, and his work in fashion design.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Carson, 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 Carson. 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 Carson was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Carson has ranked as high as #103 nationally, which occurred in 2018, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Ohio, North Carolina, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Carson has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Carson 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 Carson was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Carson (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 216 | |
| PA | 181 | |
| CA | 169 | |
| OH | 149 | |
| FL | 144 | |
| NY | 122 | |
| GA | 117 | |
| MI | 113 | |
| NC | 109 | |
| TN | 102 | |
| IN | 86 | |
| VA | 84 | |
| KY | 83 | |
| IL | 79 | |
| MO | 70 |
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 Carson.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,890 |
| 2023 | 3,209 |
| 2022 | 3,407 |
| 2021 | 3,769 |
| 2020 | 4,193 |
| 2019 | 4,520 |
| 2018 | 5,259 |
| 2017 | 4,765 |
| 2016 | 4,931 |
| 2015 | 4,760 |
| 2014 | 4,624 |
| 2013 | 4,538 |
| 2012 | 4,597 |
| 2011 | 4,927 |
| 2010 | 5,098 |
| 2009 | 4,997 |
| 2008 | 5,127 |
| 2007 | 5,120 |
| 2006 | 5,012 |
| 2005 | 4,354 |
| 2004 | 4,379 |
| 2003 | 4,861 |
| 2002 | 3,600 |
| 2001 | 3,942 |
| 2000 | 3,239 |
| 1999 | 2,347 |
| 1998 | 1,471 |
| 1997 | 1,047 |
| 1996 | 1,010 |
| 1995 | 893 |
| 1994 | 833 |
| 1993 | 699 |
| 1992 | 663 |
| 1991 | 537 |
| 1990 | 471 |
| 1989 | 377 |
| 1988 | 283 |
| 1987 | 250 |
| 1986 | 252 |
| 1985 | 256 |
| 1984 | 221 |
| 1983 | 185 |
| 1982 | 189 |
| 1981 | 164 |
| 1980 | 156 |
| 1979 | 154 |
| 1978 | 137 |
| 1977 | 135 |
| 1976 | 140 |
| 1975 | 123 |
| 1974 | 103 |
| 1973 | 101 |
| 1972 | 104 |
| 1971 | 84 |
| 1970 | 104 |
| 1969 | 80 |
| 1968 | 87 |
| 1967 | 71 |
| 1966 | 79 |
| 1965 | 89 |
| 1964 | 85 |
| 1963 | 87 |
| 1962 | 85 |
| 1961 | 106 |
| 1960 | 90 |
| 1959 | 98 |
| 1958 | 99 |
| 1957 | 107 |
| 1956 | 113 |
| 1955 | 126 |
| 1954 | 136 |
| 1953 | 141 |
| 1952 | 121 |
| 1951 | 151 |
| 1950 | 120 |
| 1949 | 133 |
| 1948 | 117 |
| 1947 | 135 |
| 1946 | 131 |
| 1945 | 98 |
| 1944 | 69 |
| 1943 | 122 |
| 1942 | 115 |
| 1941 | 97 |
| 1940 | 106 |
| 1939 | 117 |
| 1938 | 87 |
| 1937 | 99 |
| 1936 | 89 |
| 1935 | 84 |
| 1934 | 84 |
| 1933 | 71 |
| 1932 | 111 |
| 1931 | 86 |
| 1930 | 105 |
| 1929 | 72 |
| 1928 | 101 |
| 1927 | 105 |
| 1926 | 113 |
| 1925 | 103 |
| 1924 | 132 |
| 1923 | 108 |
| 1922 | 120 |
| 1921 | 97 |
| 1920 | 99 |
| 1919 | 103 |
| 1918 | 103 |
| 1917 | 90 |
| 1916 | 113 |
| 1915 | 95 |
| 1914 | 96 |
| 1913 | 47 |
| 1912 | 45 |
| 1911 | 37 |
| 1910 | 24 |
| 1909 | 22 |
| 1908 | 12 |
| 1907 | 15 |
| 1906 | 13 |
| 1905 | 12 |
| 1904 | 10 |
| 1903 | 14 |
| 1902 | 17 |
| 1901 | 11 |
| 1900 | 16 |
| 1899 | 10 |
| 1898 | 16 |
| 1897 | 5 |
| 1896 | 8 |
| 1895 | 10 |
| 1894 | 12 |
| 1893 | 5 |
| 1892 | 12 |
| 1891 | 7 |
| 1890 | 8 |
| 1889 | 7 |
| 1888 | 9 |
| 1887 | 14 |
| 1886 | 8 |
| 1885 | 9 |
| 1884 | 13 |
| 1882 | 14 |
| 1881 | 6 |
| 1880 | 9 |