Houston Boy

Popularity: #573 · Trend: ↗ Rising

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Additionally, the name appears in various historical documents and records, indicating its usage as a surname and place name throughout the centuries.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.

HudsonHarrisonHoldenHaydenHunterHugo

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.

HarlanHectorHollisHendrixHawthorneHuxleyHaven

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Houston was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Houston has ranked as high as #1219 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in Texas, Tennessee, 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 413 402 11
2024 395 381 14
2023 402 387 15
2022 400 380 20
2021 469 440 29
2020 355 336 19
2019 391 374 17
2018 329 314 15
2017 295 284 11
2016 297 287 10
2015 278 264 14
2014 243 227 16
2013 214 206 8
2012 223 217 6
2011 210 210 0
2010 243 238 5
2009 226 219 7
2008 250 243 7
2007 262 256 6
2006 249 243 6
2005 228 218 10
2004 223 215 8
2003 215 209 6
2002 197 186 11
2001 205 195 10
2000 223 214 9
1999 219 209 10
1998 240 226 14
1997 261 251 10
1996 278 267 11
1995 278 264 14
1994 286 270 16
1993 217 211 6
1992 203 190 13
1991 231 218 13
1990 208 196 12
1989 198 185 13
1988 179 172 7
1987 178 171 7
1986 133 133 0
1985 94 94 0
1984 107 107 0
1983 88 88 0
1982 82 82 0
1981 68 68 0
1980 64 64 0
1979 56 56 0
1978 55 55 0
1977 40 40 0
1976 47 47 0
1975 47 47 0
1974 36 36 0
1973 39 39 0
1972 42 42 0
1971 59 59 0
1970 61 61 0
1969 56 56 0
1968 73 73 0
1967 77 77 0
1966 50 50 0
1965 73 73 0
1964 75 75 0
1963 70 70 0
1962 52 52 0
1961 58 58 0
1960 50 50 0
1959 52 52 0
1958 73 73 0
1957 70 70 0
1956 86 86 0
1955 82 82 0
1954 90 90 0
1953 102 102 0
1952 96 96 0
1951 99 99 0
1950 89 89 0
1949 100 100 0
1948 96 96 0
1947 121 121 0
1946 105 105 0
1945 97 97 0
1944 111 111 0
1943 108 108 0
1942 117 117 0
1941 112 112 0
1940 126 126 0
1939 88 88 0
1938 121 121 0
1937 95 95 0
1936 100 100 0
1935 95 95 0
1934 110 110 0
1933 105 105 0
1932 134 134 0
1931 123 123 0
1930 126 126 0
1929 139 139 0
1928 150 150 0
1927 153 153 0
1926 156 156 0
1925 154 154 0
1924 172 172 0
1923 147 147 0
1922 164 164 0
1921 170 170 0
1920 174 174 0
1919 171 171 0
1918 167 167 0
1917 154 154 0
1916 158 158 0
1915 145 145 0
1914 106 106 0
1913 83 83 0
1912 58 58 0
1911 34 34 0
1910 41 41 0
1909 34 34 0
1908 39 39 0
1907 32 32 0
1906 24 24 0
1905 28 28 0
1904 27 27 0
1903 27 27 0
1902 30 30 0
1901 31 31 0
1900 33 33 0
1899 14 14 0
1898 18 18 0
1897 20 20 0
1896 29 29 0
1895 22 22 0
1894 18 18 0
1893 17 17 0
1892 14 14 0
1891 20 20 0
1890 13 13 0
1889 11 11 0
1888 23 23 0
1887 16 16 0
1886 24 24 0
1885 13 13 0
1884 15 15 0
1883 16 16 0
1882 17 17 0
1881 11 11 0
1880 16 16 0

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. 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 42
12%
TN 31
9%
NC 25
7%
AL 21
6%
FL 20
6%
KY 20
6%
GA 19
6%
IN 15
4%
AR 15
4%
MI 12
4%
MO 11
3%
SC 10
3%
MS 10
3%
VA 10
3%
OK 10
3%
LA 8
2%
CA 8
2%
ID 8
2%
IL 8
2%
WV 8
2%
OH 7
2%
WA 6
2%
AZ 5
1%
UT 5
1%
OR 5
1%