Karson Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAR-sun //ˈkɑːrsən//
Origin: English; Scandinavian
Meaning: English: son of the marsh; Scandinavian: from the marsh
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Karson is believed to be a modern variant of the name Carson, which has its roots in the Scottish surname MacCarrson, derived from the Gaelic "Mac a' Charra" meaning "son of the marsh dweller" or "son of the one who lives by the marsh." The name Carson itself can be traced back to the 13th century, where it was used to denote a geographical origin, specifically referring to places in Scotland. The transition into English occurred as surnames began to be adopted more widely in the late medieval period, particularly during the 15th century, when surnames became hereditary and were used to denote lineage and property ownership.
Historically, the name Carson has been associated with various notable figures, including individuals in Scottish history and American pioneers. The name gained prominence in the United States during the 19th century, particularly as families of Scottish descent settled in North America.
The use of Carson in literature and folklore, such as the tales surrounding Kit Carson, a famous frontiersman and explorer of the American West in the 19th century, further solidified its cultural significance. Culturally, names like Karson and Carson have often been associated with strength and resilience, reflecting the rugged landscapes of Scotland and the pioneering spirit of early American settlers.
The name has also been linked to themes of adventure and exploration, resonating with the historical narratives of those who bore it. While Karson itself is a more contemporary adaptation, it retains the essence of its ancestral roots, embodying a connection to heritage and identity.
Famous people named Karson
In this section, you will find notable people named Karson. 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 Karson who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Karson 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.
Karson St. John is a musician best known for his work with the band The Karson Brothers.
Karson Kuhlman is a professional ice hockey player best known for playing with the Boston Bruins organization.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Karson, 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 Karson. 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 Karson was first seen in the United States in 1966.
Karson has ranked as high as #474 nationally, which occurred in 2018, and has been most popular in Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Louisiana, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Karson has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Karson 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 Karson was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Karson (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 |
|---|---|---|
| GA | 58 | |
| TX | 56 | |
| FL | 56 | |
| AL | 42 | |
| LA | 41 | |
| MI | 37 | |
| OH | 34 | |
| MS | 33 | |
| TN | 32 | |
| KY | 29 | |
| NC | 28 | |
| SC | 28 | |
| CA | 26 | |
| VA | 25 | |
| IN | 25 |
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 Karson.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 813 |
| 2023 | 987 |
| 2022 | 986 |
| 2021 | 1,090 |
| 2020 | 1,289 |
| 2019 | 1,328 |
| 2018 | 1,344 |
| 2017 | 1,268 |
| 2016 | 1,104 |
| 2015 | 1,226 |
| 2014 | 1,039 |
| 2013 | 979 |
| 2012 | 838 |
| 2011 | 813 |
| 2010 | 760 |
| 2009 | 619 |
| 2008 | 566 |
| 2007 | 473 |
| 2006 | 450 |
| 2005 | 378 |
| 2004 | 354 |
| 2003 | 336 |
| 2002 | 270 |
| 2001 | 254 |
| 2000 | 238 |
| 1999 | 150 |
| 1998 | 101 |
| 1997 | 78 |
| 1996 | 81 |
| 1995 | 66 |
| 1994 | 67 |
| 1993 | 47 |
| 1992 | 50 |
| 1991 | 31 |
| 1990 | 23 |
| 1989 | 26 |
| 1988 | 27 |
| 1987 | 17 |
| 1986 | 12 |
| 1985 | 17 |
| 1984 | 9 |
| 1983 | 15 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1981 | 9 |
| 1980 | 12 |
| 1979 | 10 |
| 1978 | 6 |
| 1976 | 7 |
| 1975 | 5 |
| 1974 | 6 |
| 1973 | 6 |
| 1966 | 5 |