Orson
A boys’ name of Latin origin, meaning bear cub or little bear.
Babies a year
109
England and Wales, 2025
Rarity
Uncommon
among names in use
US popularity
—
outside the top 1000
UK popularity
#379
109 babies · down from #374
Orson by the numbers
In 2025, 109 babies in England and Wales were named Orson. In the US, 73 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 England and Wales than in the US.
Its American peak was 90 babies in 2016, making it a 2010s name.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Orson. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Orionhunter; name of constellation and mythological figure1,047 in the US (2017)
- Olsonson of Ole; patronymic surname14 in the US (2017)
- Oryonhunter; a form of Orion10 in the US (2017)
- Orsobear3 in England and Wales (2025)
- Orhanorphan122 in England and Wales (2025)
- Oisinlittle fawn75 in England and Wales (2025)
Other names that mean a bear
Like Orson, each of these has a bear in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Arthurbear; the legendary king3,211 in England and Wales (2025)
- Barrettstrength of a bear1,633 in the US (2017)
- Atlasto bear, endure; the Titan355 in England and Wales (2025)
- Arturobear; strong warrior; spanish form of arthur475 in the US (2017)
- Bjornbear70 in England and Wales (2025)
- Bearthe animal bear; animal name used as given name117 in England and Wales (2025)
Names about as common as Orson
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