Houston Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HYOO-stən //ˈhjuːstən//
Origin: English; Scottish
Meaning: English: 'Hugh's town'; Scottish: 'from Hugh's estate'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Houston has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "hūs," meaning "house," and "tūn," meaning "town" or "settlement." This etymology suggests a literal meaning of "house settlement" or "town of the house." The name likely entered the English lexicon through the Norman influence after the Conquest of 1066, evolving through various forms in Middle English before settling into its modern spelling. The name is associated with several places in England, particularly in the regions of Yorkshire and Lancashire, where it was used as a toponymic surname for individuals originating from those areas.
Historically, the name Houston has been borne by notable figures, including the American statesman Sam Houston, who played a significant role in the Texas Revolution during the 19th century. His leadership and subsequent governorship contributed to the name's prominence in American history.
Additionally, the name appears in various historical documents and records, indicating its usage as a surname and place name throughout the centuries. The name is also linked to the Houston family, who were prominent landowners in Scotland, further embedding it in the cultural and historical tapestry of the British Isles.
Culturally, the name Houston carries connotations of strength and resilience, often associated with the idea of a stronghold or a place of safety. This symbolism may have contributed to its endurance as a surname and given name over the centuries.
The name has also been adapted into various diminutive forms, such as "Hugh," which can be traced back to the Old French "Hugues," meaning "heart, mind, or spirit." Overall, Houston reflects a rich linguistic heritage and historical significance that has transcended its geographical origins.
Famous people named Houston
In this section, you will find notable people named Houston. 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 Houston who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Houston 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.
Houston Alexander is a mixed martial artist best known for competing in the UFC and winning the IFL Light Heavyweight Championship.
Houston Nutt is a former college football coach best known for his tenure at the University of Arkansas and Ole Miss.
Houston Smith is a former professional American football player best known for playing as a defensive back in the NFL.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Houston, 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 Houston. 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 Houston was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Houston has ranked as high as #931 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
In the past 5 years the name Houston has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Houston 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 Houston was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Houston (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 | 42 | |
| TN | 31 | |
| NC | 25 | |
| AL | 21 | |
| KY | 20 | |
| FL | 20 | |
| GA | 19 | |
| IN | 15 | |
| AR | 15 | |
| MI | 12 | |
| MO | 11 | |
| MS | 10 | |
| VA | 10 | |
| OK | 10 | |
| SC | 10 |
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 Houston.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 381 |
| 2023 | 387 |
| 2022 | 380 |
| 2021 | 439 |
| 2020 | 336 |
| 2019 | 373 |
| 2018 | 313 |
| 2017 | 284 |
| 2016 | 287 |
| 2015 | 264 |
| 2014 | 227 |
| 2013 | 206 |
| 2012 | 217 |
| 2011 | 210 |
| 2010 | 238 |
| 2009 | 219 |
| 2008 | 243 |
| 2007 | 256 |
| 2006 | 243 |
| 2005 | 218 |
| 2004 | 215 |
| 2003 | 209 |
| 2002 | 186 |
| 2001 | 195 |
| 2000 | 214 |
| 1999 | 209 |
| 1998 | 226 |
| 1997 | 251 |
| 1996 | 267 |
| 1995 | 264 |
| 1994 | 270 |
| 1993 | 211 |
| 1992 | 190 |
| 1991 | 218 |
| 1990 | 196 |
| 1989 | 185 |
| 1988 | 172 |
| 1987 | 171 |
| 1986 | 133 |
| 1985 | 94 |
| 1984 | 107 |
| 1983 | 88 |
| 1982 | 82 |
| 1981 | 68 |
| 1980 | 64 |
| 1979 | 56 |
| 1978 | 55 |
| 1977 | 40 |
| 1976 | 47 |
| 1975 | 47 |
| 1974 | 36 |
| 1973 | 39 |
| 1972 | 42 |
| 1971 | 59 |
| 1970 | 61 |
| 1969 | 56 |
| 1968 | 73 |
| 1967 | 77 |
| 1966 | 50 |
| 1965 | 74 |
| 1964 | 74 |
| 1963 | 70 |
| 1962 | 52 |
| 1961 | 58 |
| 1960 | 50 |
| 1959 | 52 |
| 1958 | 73 |
| 1957 | 70 |
| 1956 | 86 |
| 1955 | 82 |
| 1954 | 90 |
| 1953 | 102 |
| 1952 | 96 |
| 1951 | 99 |
| 1950 | 89 |
| 1949 | 100 |
| 1948 | 96 |
| 1947 | 121 |
| 1946 | 105 |
| 1945 | 97 |
| 1944 | 111 |
| 1943 | 108 |
| 1942 | 117 |
| 1941 | 112 |
| 1940 | 126 |
| 1939 | 88 |
| 1938 | 121 |
| 1937 | 95 |
| 1936 | 100 |
| 1935 | 95 |
| 1934 | 110 |
| 1933 | 105 |
| 1932 | 134 |
| 1931 | 123 |
| 1930 | 126 |
| 1929 | 139 |
| 1928 | 150 |
| 1927 | 153 |
| 1926 | 156 |
| 1925 | 154 |
| 1924 | 172 |
| 1923 | 147 |
| 1922 | 164 |
| 1921 | 170 |
| 1920 | 174 |
| 1919 | 171 |
| 1918 | 167 |
| 1917 | 154 |
| 1916 | 158 |
| 1915 | 145 |
| 1914 | 106 |
| 1913 | 83 |
| 1912 | 58 |
| 1911 | 34 |
| 1910 | 41 |
| 1909 | 34 |
| 1908 | 39 |
| 1907 | 32 |
| 1906 | 24 |
| 1905 | 28 |
| 1904 | 27 |
| 1903 | 27 |
| 1902 | 30 |
| 1901 | 31 |
| 1900 | 33 |
| 1899 | 14 |
| 1898 | 18 |
| 1897 | 20 |
| 1896 | 29 |
| 1895 | 22 |
| 1894 | 18 |
| 1893 | 17 |
| 1892 | 14 |
| 1891 | 20 |
| 1890 | 13 |
| 1889 | 11 |
| 1888 | 23 |
| 1887 | 16 |
| 1886 | 24 |
| 1885 | 13 |
| 1884 | 15 |
| 1883 | 16 |
| 1882 | 17 |
| 1881 | 11 |
| 1880 | 16 |