Hudson
Hudson is a boys' name of English origin meaning “son of Hudde; son of Hugh.” It ranked #17 in the United States in 2025. An English surname derived from Hudde, a medieval pet form of Hugh.
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how do you pronounce Hudson?
HUD-son
where does the name Hudson come from?
An English patronymic surname meaning son of Hudde, where Hudde was a medieval pet form of Hugh, and possibly also of Richard. The underlying Hugh comes from a Germanic root meaning heart or mind.
Henry Hudson, the 17th-century explorer, lent his name to the Hudson River and Hudson Bay, giving the name a rugged, adventurous New World heritage.
how popular is this name?
Hudson has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 54 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 92. It peaked at #17 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #17 |
| 2024 | #22 |
| 2023 | #21 |
| 2022 | #27 |
| 2021 | #34 |
| 2020 | #43 |
| 2019 | #50 |
| 2018 | #55 |
| 2017 | #64 |
| 2016 | #61 |
| 2010 | #139 |
| 2000 | #588 |
| 1900 | #902 |
| 1880 | #909 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Hudson fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Hudson
Henry Hudson sailed in search of a northeast and then a northwest passage, and both the Hudson River and Hudson Bay carry his name; he was set adrift by his own mutinous crew in 1611 and never seen again. The surname converted to a given name in the United States in the 1990s, reached the top fifty by the end of the 2010s, and has since climbed into the top twenty.
who are famous people named Hudson?
- Henry Hudson (explorer)
- Hudson Taylor (missionary)
- Rock Hudson (actor)
what are the nicknames and variants of Hudson?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Hudson?
what names go well with Hudson?
Sibling names that share Hudson's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Hudson
What does the name Hudson mean?
Hudson means “son of Hudde; son of Hugh”.
What is the origin of the name Hudson?
Hudson comes from the English naming tradition. Related forms include Hudsen and Hutson.
How popular is the name Hudson?
Hudson ranked #17 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2025, at #17, and it has spent 54 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Hudson a boy or girl name?
Hudson is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Hudson?
Hudson is pronounced HUD-son, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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