Gerson Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: GER-son //ˈɡɜːrsən//
Origin: Hebrew; Spanish
Meaning: Hebrew: 'to be a stranger'; Spanish: 'son of Gerson'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Gerson has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word 'ger' meaning 'stranger' or 'foreigner,' combined with the suffix '-son,' which translates to 'son of the stranger.' This etymology reflects the biblical context, as Gerson is a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible, specifically as the firstborn son of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name appears in the Book of Exodus and is associated with the priestly lineage, which played a crucial role in the religious life of ancient Israel.
The transition of the name into other languages occurred through the Greek 'Gersom' and the Latin 'Gerson,' before it was adopted into Old French, ultimately making its way into English. Historically, Gerson has been linked to notable figures, including John Gerson, a prominent theologian and chancellor of the University of Paris in the early 15th century.
His contributions to the Church and education during the medieval period helped solidify the name's presence in European culture. Additionally, the name is mentioned in various biblical translations, including the King James Bible, which further contributed to its recognition in Christian contexts.
The name has been used in various forms across cultures, often reflecting the significance of lineage and heritage. Culturally, Gerson carries connotations of belonging and identity, resonating with themes of migration and the experience of being an outsider, which are prevalent in many narratives throughout history.
The name's association with the Levites also imbues it with a sense of spiritual significance, as the Levites were tasked with religious duties and the care of the tabernacle. This historical and cultural resonance has allowed the name Gerson to endure through the centuries, maintaining its relevance in various contexts.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gerson, 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 Gerson. 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 Gerson was first seen in the United States in 1909.
Gerson has ranked as high as #2758 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Virginia.
In the past 5 years the name Gerson has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Gerson 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 Gerson 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 Gerson.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 108 | 108 |
| 2024 | 88 | 88 |
| 2023 | 100 | 100 |
| 2022 | 94 | 94 |
| 2021 | 78 | 78 |
| 2020 | 107 | 107 |
| 2019 | 95 | 95 |
| 2018 | 111 | 111 |
| 2017 | 114 | 114 |
| 2016 | 115 | 115 |
| 2015 | 77 | 77 |
| 2014 | 89 | 89 |
| 2013 | 86 | 86 |
| 2012 | 101 | 101 |
| 2011 | 94 | 94 |
| 2010 | 114 | 114 |
| 2009 | 117 | 117 |
| 2008 | 145 | 145 |
| 2007 | 137 | 137 |
| 2006 | 137 | 137 |
| 2005 | 143 | 143 |
| 2004 | 120 | 120 |
| 2003 | 115 | 115 |
| 2002 | 101 | 101 |
| 2001 | 112 | 112 |
| 2000 | 95 | 95 |
| 1999 | 89 | 89 |
| 1998 | 85 | 85 |
| 1997 | 75 | 75 |
| 1996 | 82 | 82 |
| 1995 | 63 | 63 |
| 1994 | 74 | 74 |
| 1993 | 66 | 66 |
| 1992 | 67 | 67 |
| 1991 | 58 | 58 |
| 1990 | 52 | 52 |
| 1989 | 43 | 43 |
| 1988 | 38 | 38 |
| 1987 | 29 | 29 |
| 1986 | 26 | 26 |
| 1985 | 30 | 30 |
| 1984 | 23 | 23 |
| 1983 | 24 | 24 |
| 1982 | 25 | 25 |
| 1981 | 23 | 23 |
| 1980 | 18 | 18 |
| 1979 | 15 | 15 |
| 1978 | 9 | 9 |
| 1977 | 18 | 18 |
| 1976 | 9 | 9 |
| 1975 | 8 | 8 |
| 1974 | 10 | 10 |
| 1972 | 9 | 9 |
| 1971 | 12 | 12 |
| 1970 | 12 | 12 |
| 1968 | 11 | 11 |
| 1966 | 7 | 7 |
| 1965 | 5 | 5 |
| 1964 | 8 | 8 |
| 1963 | 8 | 8 |
| 1962 | 5 | 5 |
| 1958 | 8 | 8 |
| 1955 | 5 | 5 |
| 1954 | 5 | 5 |
| 1952 | 9 | 9 |
| 1949 | 5 | 5 |
| 1947 | 8 | 8 |
| 1945 | 6 | 6 |
| 1944 | 6 | 6 |
| 1943 | 5 | 5 |
| 1942 | 7 | 7 |
| 1941 | 8 | 8 |
| 1940 | 6 | 6 |
| 1939 | 12 | 12 |
| 1938 | 8 | 8 |
| 1936 | 10 | 10 |
| 1935 | 5 | 5 |
| 1934 | 5 | 5 |
| 1933 | 10 | 10 |
| 1932 | 10 | 10 |
| 1931 | 9 | 9 |
| 1930 | 7 | 7 |
| 1929 | 11 | 11 |
| 1928 | 15 | 15 |
| 1927 | 17 | 17 |
| 1926 | 9 | 9 |
| 1925 | 13 | 13 |
| 1924 | 15 | 15 |
| 1923 | 14 | 14 |
| 1922 | 11 | 11 |
| 1921 | 15 | 15 |
| 1920 | 12 | 12 |
| 1919 | 12 | 12 |
| 1918 | 13 | 13 |
| 1917 | 16 | 16 |
| 1916 | 17 | 17 |
| 1915 | 11 | 11 |
| 1914 | 6 | 6 |
| 1913 | 8 | 8 |
| 1912 | 15 | 15 |
| 1911 | 5 | 5 |
| 1909 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Gerson (2024)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 18 | |
| CA | 12 | |
| MD | 7 | |
| OH | 6 |