Peterson Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PEE-ter-sun /ˈpiːtərsən/
Origin: English; Scandinavian
Meaning: Son of Peter
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Peterson is of English origin, derived from the patronymic surname meaning "son of Peter." The name Peter itself has roots in the Greek word "petros," meaning "rock" or "stone," which was translated into Latin as "Petrus." The name gained prominence in early Christian contexts due to Saint Peter, one of Jesus Christ's apostles, who is often regarded as the rock upon which the Christian Church was built. The transition of the name into English occurred through Old French during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where it was adopted as "Peters" or "Peterson" in various forms, reflecting the common practice of using surnames to denote lineage.
Historically, the name Peterson has been associated with various notable figures, particularly in the context of religious and cultural history. One significant milestone is the translation of the Bible into English, notably the King James Version completed in 1611, which helped to solidify the name Peter and its derivatives within the English-speaking world.
The name has also appeared in various historical documents and records throughout the centuries, reflecting its enduring presence in English-speaking societies. Culturally, the name Peterson carries connotations of strength and stability, echoing its etymological roots in the word "rock." This symbolism has contributed to its persistence as a family name and given name across generations.
The name has also seen variations and diminutives, such as Pete or Petey, which have been used informally. Overall, the name Peterson encapsulates a rich linguistic heritage and a deep historical significance tied to its biblical origins and cultural associations.
Famous people named Peterson
In this section, you will find notable people named Peterson. 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 Peterson who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Peterson 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.
Peterson Toscano is a performance artist and activist best known for his work on LGBTQ+ issues and climate change awareness.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Peterson, 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 Peterson. 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 Peterson was first seen in the United States in 1950.
Peterson has ranked as high as #1168 nationally, which occurred in 1989, and has been most popular in Florida, New York, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Peterson has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Peterson 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 Peterson was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Peterson (2017)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 5 |
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 Peterson.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2012 | 14 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2007 | 19 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2001 | 21 |
| 2000 | 24 |
| 1999 | 17 |
| 1998 | 17 |
| 1997 | 16 |
| 1996 | 15 |
| 1995 | 16 |
| 1994 | 21 |
| 1993 | 22 |
| 1992 | 17 |
| 1991 | 16 |
| 1990 | 18 |
| 1989 | 28 |
| 1988 | 21 |
| 1987 | 15 |
| 1986 | 24 |
| 1985 | 13 |
| 1984 | 14 |
| 1983 | 14 |
| 1982 | 22 |
| 1981 | 15 |
| 1980 | 12 |
| 1979 | 14 |
| 1978 | 12 |
| 1977 | 16 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1973 | 8 |
| 1971 | 8 |
| 1970 | 6 |
| 1968 | 7 |
| 1966 | 5 |
| 1965 | 6 |
| 1964 | 11 |
| 1963 | 10 |
| 1961 | 6 |
| 1960 | 5 |
| 1958 | 8 |
| 1957 | 6 |
| 1956 | 6 |
| 1955 | 7 |
| 1954 | 5 |
| 1950 | 5 |