Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Addison
GirlEnglish· “son of Adam”
- Meaning
- son of Adam
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- A-duh-suhn
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #84
- US babies 2025
- 2,971
- Best rank
- #11 (2007)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Addison
Addison is an English name that means “son of Adam”.
Addison began as an English surname meaning "son of Addy", a medieval pet form of Adam. The essayist Joseph Addison, co-founder of The Spectator in the early eighteenth century, made the surname well known in literary circles. As a first name it was rare and mainly masculine for most of its history, then became popular for girls in the United States around the start of this century, following the success of Madison, with which it rhymes. It sounds lively and polished, with a friendly three-syllable rhythm. Addie and Addy are natural nicknames.
Popularity over time
Addison first appears in US Social Security records in 1980. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 32 different years, starting in 1994. Its best national rank was #11 in 2007, the same year it reached its highest count of 11,949 babies. In 2025, 2,971 babies were named Addison, and it ranked #84 nationally. That is 56% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #9,098 in 1980, #322 in 2000, #11 in 2010, and #84 in 2025. Of the 148,893 US girls named Addison since records began, 48% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 51,389 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Natalie, Nevaeh, Alexa, Makayla, and Ava.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Addison ranked highest in Vermont, West Virginia, and New Hampshire.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | #21 | 12 |
| West Virginia | #40 | 26 |
| New Hampshire | #41 | 23 |
| Minnesota | #53 | 75 |
| Alabama | #56 | 60 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Addison over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Addison is usually pronounced A-duh-suhn, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with A and ends in “-on”.
Middle names for Addison
A few middle names that flow with Addison: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Addison
Similar names
Madison Girl
MA-duh-suhn
“son of Maud” · English
#40
Allison Girl
AL-ih-suhn
“noble; form of Alice” · English
#103
Emerson Unisex
EH-mur-suhn
“son of Emery” · English
#122
Remington Unisex
REM-ing-tuhn
“from an English place name” · English
#307
Alison Girl
A-lih-suhn
“noble; diminutive of Alice” · French
#476
Maddison Girl
MAD-ih-suhn
“son of Maud” · English
#439
Allyson Girl
AL-ih-suhn
“noble kind” · English
#1,139
Addyson Girl
AD-ih-suhn
“variant of Addison, 'son of Adam'” · English
#1,413
Avalon Girl
AV-uh-lon
“island of apples” · Welsh
#1,459
Adison Girl
AD-ih-suhn
“son of Adam (variant of Addison)” · English
#7,895
Emily Girl
EH-muh-lee
“rival, striving” · Latin
#34
Avery Unisex
AY-vur-ee
“from Alfred, elf counsel” · English
#37
Lists that include Addison
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Addison mean?
Addison is an English name that means “son of Adam”.
What is the origin of the name Addison?
Addison has English roots. Addison began as an English surname meaning "son of Addy", a medieval pet form of Adam.
Is Addison a popular name?
Yes. Addison ranked #84 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Addison a boy or girl name?
Addison is mainly a girl's name. About 98% of US babies named Addison over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Addison?
Addison is usually pronounced A-duh-suhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings