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Houston

♂ Boy

Pronounced HYOO-stun /ˈhjuː.stən/High

Meaning: From the Scottish surname Houston, from a place name meaning Hugh's town — a settlement owned or founded by someone named Hugh; Hugh derives from Old High German Hugo meaning mind, spirit, or heartHigh

In 30 seconds: A bold Texan place-name meaning Hugh's town, Houston carries the spirit of the American frontier, the NASA space program, and the legendary Sam Houston in one rugged two-syllable package.
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Origin HighScottish, Old English
MeaningFrom the Scottish surname Houston, from a place name meaning Hugh's town — a settlement owned or founded by someone named Hugh; Hugh derives from Old High German Hugo meaning mind, spirit, or heart
U.S. rank (2025)#675 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births402 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 18,101

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202118802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Houston is a Scottish surname from a place name meaning Hugh's town, where Hugh (from Old High German Hugo, meaning mind or spirit) was the personal name of an early owner or founder. The Houston family emigrated from Scotland to the American South, and their most famous descendant, Sam Houston, became the founding president of the Republic of Texas.

As a given name, Houston has been used in America as an honor name for Sam Houston since the 19th century. In the 21st century it has been rising as part of the place-name and surname-name trend for boys, fitting alongside Memphis, Austin, and Dallas. Houston's association with NASA (as the city of Mission Control) gives it additional aspirational connotations of exploration and achievement.

Did you know? Houston, Texas was named after Sam Houston (1793–1863), the first and third President of the Republic of Texas — making the city name, and thus the given name Houston, a tribute to one of the most remarkable figures in American history.
Overall data confidence 92%
U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

Huston

Nicknames

HueHous

Famous Bearers

  • ★Sam Houston (1793–1863)
    First and third President of the Republic of Texas, later Governor of Texas and of Tennessee.

If you like Houston…

Austin— shares the Texan city-name heritage and the same two-syllable American place-name energy
Dallas— another Texas city name used as a bold American given name
Memphis— shares the American city-name tradition and the same rugged, geographic boldness
Houston

Frequently Asked

What does the name Houston mean?

Houston means Hugh's town or settlement of Hugh, from a Scottish place name. Hugh derives from Old High German Hugo, meaning mind or spirit.

How do you pronounce Houston?

It is said HYOO-stun /ˈhjuː.stən/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Houston a popular given name?

Houston has been rising in the United States as a bold, aspirational place-name with Texan and NASA associations.

Is Houston named after Sam Houston?

Yes — the city of Houston, Texas was named after Sam Houston, and the given name Houston serves partly as a tribute to him.