Nelson
A boys’ name of Old English origin, meaning son of Neil, the champion.
How Nelson has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #627 |
| 2016 | #621 |
| 2017 | #631 |
| 2018 | #671 |
| 2019 | #655 |
| 2020 | #670 |
| 2021 | #724 |
| 2022 | #797 |
| 2023 | #797 |
| 2024 | #778 |
| 2025 | #825 |
Nelson by the numbers
In 2025, 19 babies in England and Wales were named Nelson. In the US, 407 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given several times more often in the US than in England and Wales.
Its American peak was 1,083 babies in 1959, making it a 1950s name.
At its height, in 1905, about 1 in 1,100 American boys born that year was called Nelson.
Other names that come from Neil
Like Nelson, each of these traces back to Neil: a form of it, a name built from it, or a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Nelson. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Neesondescendant of Niasán; from the champion6 in the US (2017)
- Nilsonson of nil; a form of Nilsson6 in the US (2017)
- Neilsonson of Neil the champion5 in the US (2017)
- Newtonfrom the new settlement or town28 in the US (2017)
- Nossonhe gave; Yiddish form of Nathan28 in the US (2017)
- Nasonhe gave; form of Nathan18 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean a warrior
Like Nelson, each of these has a warrior in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Wyattbrave in war9,768 in the US (2017)
- Owenyoung warrior, well-born9,341 in the US (2017)
- Robertbright fame; renowned warrior5,507 in the US (2017)
- Nolanchampion, descendant of the noble one5,403 in the US (2017)
- Milessoldier; merciful3,615 in the US (2017)
- Luisfamous warrior; form of Louis3,379 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Nelson
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