Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Hudson
BoyEnglish· “son of Hudde”
- Meaning
- son of Hudde
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- HUHD-suhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #17
- US babies 2025
- 8,583
- Best rank
- #17 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Hudson
Hudson is an English name that means “son of Hudde”.
Hudson is an English surname meaning son of Hudde, a medieval nickname usually tied to Richard or Hugh. The explorer Henry Hudson, who sailed for the English and the Dutch in the early seventeenth century, gave his name to the Hudson River and Hudson Bay, so the name also suggests adventure and wide landscapes. As a first name it is an American revival of recent decades, part of a broader trend toward surname names ending in -son. It feels sturdy, outdoorsy and friendly. Hud is a short form some families use, though the full name is usually kept.
Popularity over time
Hudson 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 51 different years. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #17, and its highest count, 8,583 babies. Use has grown 42% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #1,042 in 1920, #1,353 in 1950, #2,398 in 1980, #588 in 2000, #139 in 2010, and #17 in 2025. Of the 114,287 US boys named Hudson since records began, 45% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 46,951 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Luca, Ezra, Elias, Santiago, and Cooper.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Hudson ranked highest in Arkansas, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | #2 | 147 |
| West Virginia | #2 | 106 |
| Kentucky | #3 | 229 |
| South Dakota | #4 | 50 |
| Montana | #4 | 45 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Hudson over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Hudson is usually pronounced HUHD-suhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with H and ends in “-on”.
Middle names for Hudson
A few middle names that flow with Hudson: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Hudson
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Lists that include Hudson
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hudson mean?
Hudson is an English name that means “son of Hudde”.
What is the origin of the name Hudson?
Hudson has English roots. Hudson is an English surname meaning son of Hudde, a medieval nickname usually tied to Richard or Hugh.
Is Hudson a popular name?
Yes. Hudson ranked #17 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Hudson a boy or girl name?
Hudson is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Hudson over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Hudson?
Hudson is usually pronounced HUHD-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