Jackson
Jackson is a boys' name of English origin meaning “son of Jack; son of God's grace.” It ranked #36 in the United States in 2025. An English patronymic surname meaning son of Jack.
Torn between Jackson and another name? Ask family and friends to vote
how do you pronounce Jackson?
JAK-son
where does the name Jackson come from?
An English patronymic surname meaning son of Jack, where Jack is the medieval pet form of John. The construction is identical to Johnson, arrived at by a different route, which is why the two surnames are so often found in the same families.
It has been one of America's top baby names for over a decade, associated with President Andrew Jackson, painter Jackson Pollock, and musician Michael Jackson.
how popular is this name?
Jackson has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #14 in 2021, and ranked #36 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #36 |
| 2024 | #35 |
| 2023 | #28 |
| 2022 | #23 |
| 2021 | #14 |
| 2020 | #17 |
| 2019 | #17 |
| 2018 | #17 |
| 2017 | #20 |
| 2016 | #17 |
| 2010 | #25 |
| 2000 | #72 |
| 1990 | #316 |
| 1980 | #503 |
| 1970 | #791 |
| 1960 | #726 |
| 1950 | #521 |
| 1940 | #449 |
| 1930 | #389 |
| 1920 | #389 |
| 1910 | #359 |
| 1900 | #266 |
| 1890 | #351 |
| 1880 | #244 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Jackson fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Jackson
Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the United States, gave his name to the city of Jackson, Mississippi and to a whole era of American politics. The surname's later bearers — Stonewall Jackson, Mahalia Jackson, Michael Jackson — kept it prominent, and it converted to a first name in the United States from the 1990s onward.
who are famous people named Jackson?
- Andrew Jackson (U.S. president)
- Jackson Pollock (painter)
- Michael Jackson (musician)
what are the nicknames and variants of Jackson?
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Jackson?
what names go well with Jackson?
Sibling names that share Jackson's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Jackson
What does the name Jackson mean?
Jackson means “son of Jack; son of God's grace”.
What is the origin of the name Jackson?
Jackson comes from the English naming tradition. Related forms include Jaxon, Jaxson and Jakson.
How popular is the name Jackson?
Jackson ranked #36 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2021, at #14, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Jackson a boy or girl name?
Jackson is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Jackson?
Jackson is pronounced JAK-son, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
love Jackson? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
Start your free session