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Woodson Boy

Popularity: #876 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationWOOD-sun / /ˈwʊd.sən/

English; Old English

Meaning

Son of Wood; from the wooded area

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Woodson is of English origin, derived from the Old English elements "wudu," meaning "wood," and "son," meaning "son of." This name essentially translates to "son of the wood" or "son of the woods," indicating a familial connection to a wooded area or a profession related to woodlands. The name likely emerged during the Anglo-Saxon period, when surnames began to be adopted in England, particularly in the 11th century, as a means of identifying individuals based on their lineage or geographic features.

Historically, the use of surnames became more standardized in England following the Norman Conquest in 1066, which led to the incorporation of various naming conventions. Woodson, as a surname, would have been used to denote someone who lived near or worked in a forested area. The name appears in various historical records, including land grants and legal documents from the medieval period, reflecting the agrarian society of the time where such geographical identifiers were common.

Culturally, the name Woodson carries connotations of nature and the environment, symbolizing strength and stability, much like the trees it references. The association with woodlands may also evoke themes of growth and resilience, which have been significant in various cultural narratives throughout history. While Woodson is primarily recognized as a surname, it has also been adopted as a given name in some contexts, reflecting the enduring appeal of nature-related names in English-speaking cultures. The diminutive form "Woody" has also emerged, further emphasizing the name's connection to the natural world.

Trend Summary

Woodson has seen a gradual increase in popularity as a given name in the United States.

Similar Names

Variants

International Variants

Famous people named Woodson

Woodson Woodson is a historian best known for his work on African American history and the establishment of Black History Month.

Woodson W. Woodson is a writer best known for his contributions to literature and his advocacy for education in the African American community.

Fictional characters named Woodson

Woodson is a fictional character from the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. He is a member of the Greasers, a group of working-class teenagers who navigate the challenges of their environment and societal conflicts.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Woodson was first seen in the United States in 1880. Woodson has ranked as high as #1312 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in Kentucky, Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas. In the past 5 years the name Woodson has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Woodson (2024)

StateBirthsShare
KY 7
100%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18808
18825
18848
18869
18905
18938
18948
19006
19047
19055
19097
19105
19117
191212
191318
191416
191527
191630
191729
191827
191916
192023
192117
192215
192318
192422
192517
192615
192712
192820
192911
19309
193113
193210
193317
19348
193517
193614
19379
19389
193914
194010
194110
194217
194316
194417
194511
194613
194714
194822
19497
19507
195113
195216
19539
19549
19555
195610
195712
19585
19598
19608
19616
19627
19636
19657
19669
19689
19695
19736
19786
19808
19817
198210
19885
19917
19955
20006
20017
20028
20046
20065
20075
200810
20098
20105
201110
201215
201313
201417
201518
201623
201729
201828
201924
202028
202125
202236
202334
202448