Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Carson
BoyScottish· “uncertain; Scottish surname”
- Meaning
- uncertain; Scottish surname (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Scottish
- Pronunciation
- KAR-suhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #124
- US babies 2025
- 2,883
- Best rank
- #70 (2018)
- Peak year
- 2018
Meaning and origin of Carson
Carson is often said to mean “uncertain; Scottish surname”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Scottish roots.
Carson is a Scottish surname whose origin is uncertain. Some sources connect it to a place name, others to Gaelic roots, but no explanation is agreed on, so any meaning offered for it should be taken loosely. The frontiersman Kit Carson gave the surname a strong association with the American West, and Carson City in Nevada was named after him. As a first name it grew in the United States along with other two-syllable surname names ending in -son. It has a friendly, outdoorsy feel. Car and Cars are rare nicknames, and Karsyn is a modern spelling.
Other spellings with the same sound: Karson.
Popularity over time
Carson has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 143 different years. Its best national rank was #70 in 2018, the same year it reached its highest count of 5,259 babies. In 2025, 2,883 babies were named Carson, and it ranked #124 nationally. That is 39% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #632 in 1920, #626 in 1950, #697 in 1980, #119 in 2000, #82 in 2010, and #124 in 2025. Of the 132,774 US boys named Carson since records began, 36% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 44,632 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Greyson, Bryson, Jameson, Leonardo, and Declan.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Carson ranked highest in West Virginia, Kentucky, and New Hampshire.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | #36 | 36 |
| Kentucky | #50 | 82 |
| New Hampshire | #54 | 25 |
| Pennsylvania | #61 | 184 |
| Ohio | #74 | 153 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 96% of US babies named Carson over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Carson is usually pronounced KAR-suhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with C and ends in “-on”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Karson.
Middle names for Carson
A few middle names that flow with Carson: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Carson
Similar names
Jameson Boy
JAYM-suhn
“son of James” · English
#137
Lawson Boy
LAW-suhn
“son of Lawrence” · English
#381
Landon Boy
LAN-duhn
“long hill” · English
#127
Brandon Boy
BRAN-duhn
“broom-covered hill” · Old English
#261
Jaxon Boy
JAK-suhn
“son of Jack” · American (modern coinage)
#115
Peyton Unisex
PAY-tuhn
“Pacca's town” · English
#199
Colton Boy
KOHL-tuhn
“from an English place name” · English
#103
Easton Boy
EES-tuhn
“east town” · English
#110
Jaxson Boy
JAK-suhn
“son of Jack” · American (modern coinage)
#156
Bryson Boy
BRY-suhn
“son of Brice” · English
#152
Ashton Boy
ASH-tuhn
“ash-tree town” · Old English
#197
Greyson Boy
GRAY-suhn
“son of the steward” · English
#149
Lists that include Carson
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Carson mean?
Carson is often said to mean “uncertain; Scottish surname”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Scottish roots.
What is the origin of the name Carson?
Carson has Scottish roots. Carson is a Scottish surname whose origin is uncertain.
Is Carson a popular name?
Yes. Carson ranked #124 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Carson a boy or girl name?
Carson is mainly a boy's name. About 96% of US babies named Carson over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Carson?
Carson is usually pronounced KAR-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