William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
Nelson
BoyEnglish· “son of Neil”
- Meaning
- son of Neil
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- NEHL-suhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #825
- US babies 2025
- 300
- Best rank
- #136 (1882)
- Peak year
- 1959
Meaning and origin of Nelson
Nelson is an English name that means “son of Neil”.
Nelson is an English surname meaning "son of Neil" or "son of Nell". Neil comes from the Irish Niall, a name of uncertain meaning often linked to "champion" or "cloud". As a given name Nelson spread in the nineteenth century in honor of Admiral Horatio Nelson, the British naval hero of the Battle of Trafalgar. In more recent times it is strongly associated with Nelson Mandela, the South African leader who became a global symbol of reconciliation. Nelson is dignified, friendly and dependable, and Nels or Nell are traditional nicknames.
Popularity over time
Nelson 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 146 different years. Its best national rank was #136 in 1882, and the most babies received it in 1959, when 1,084 were named Nelson. In 2025, 300 babies were named Nelson, and it ranked #825 nationally. That is 30% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #187 in 1920, #229 in 1950, #297 in 1980, #414 in 2000, #569 in 2010, and #825 in 2025. Of the 79,709 US boys named Nelson since records began, 12% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 8,562 babies. Since 2010, 6,265 more have been named Nelson.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Nick, Bart, Pat, Matt, and Neal.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Nelson ranked highest in Maryland, New York, and South Carolina.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | #464 | 11 |
| New York | #522 | 31 |
| South Carolina | #539 | 9 |
| Virginia | #655 | 11 |
| Alabama | #666 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Nelson is usually pronounced NEHL-suhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with N and ends in “-on”.
Middle names for Nelson
A few middle names that flow with Nelson: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Nelson
Similar names
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Lists that include Nelson
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nelson mean?
Nelson is an English name that means “son of Neil”.
What is the origin of the name Nelson?
Nelson has English roots. Nelson is an English surname meaning "son of Neil" or "son of Nell".
Is Nelson a popular name?
Yes. Nelson ranked #825 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Nelson a boy or girl name?
Nelson is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Nelson?
Nelson is usually pronounced NEHL-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