Addison
Addison is a unisex name of English origin meaning “son of Adam.” It ranked #84 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Addison?
ADD-ih-sun
where does the name Addison come from?
An English patronymic surname meaning son of Addy, where Addy is a medieval pet form of Adam. The construction is the same one behind Harrison and Jackson, and like them it began as a way of identifying a man by his father.
Originally an English surname meaning 'son of Adam,' Addison transitioned to a popular given name, especially for girls, in the late 20th century. Its rise for girls was boosted by the TV series Grey's Anatomy.
how popular is this name?
Addison has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 32 years since 1994. It peaked at #11 in 2007, and ranked #84 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #84 |
| 2024 | #68 |
| 2023 | #62 |
| 2022 | #54 |
| 2021 | #45 |
| 2020 | #47 |
| 2019 | #47 |
| 2018 | #35 |
| 2017 | #34 |
| 2016 | #29 |
| 2010 | #11 |
| 2007 | #11 |
| 2000 | #322 |
| 1994 | #798 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Addison fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Addison
The surname's best-known bearer is Joseph Addison, the essayist who co-founded The Spectator in 1711 and did much to shape modern English prose style. The name's transformation is more recent and more dramatic: despite its literal meaning, Addison shifted decisively to girls in the United States around 2000 and spent several years inside the top twenty.
what are the nicknames and variants of Addison?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Addison?
- Addison Montgomery (Grey's Anatomy character)
- Joseph Addison (English essayist)
what names are similar to Addison?
what names go well with Addison?
Sibling names that share Addison's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Addison
What does the name Addison mean?
Addison means “son of Adam”.
What is the origin of the name Addison?
Addison comes from the English naming tradition. Related forms include Addyson, Adison and Adyson.
How popular is the name Addison?
Addison ranked #84 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2007, at #11, and it has spent 32 years in the top 1,000 since 1994.
Is Addison a boy or girl name?
Addison is a unisex name, used for both boys and girls.
How do you pronounce Addison?
Addison is pronounced ADD-ih-sun, with 3 syllables.
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