Home › Baby Names Directory › Karson

Karson

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAR-sun /ˈkɑːr.sən/High

Meaning: Variant spelling of Carson, an English and Scandinavian surname meaning 'son of Carr,' where Carr derives from Old Norse 'kjarr' meaning marsh, boggy groundHigh

In 30 seconds: Karson is a rugged, modern spelling of Carson with Old Norse roots meaning 'son of the marsh-dweller.' It carries a Western, frontier feel and is a popular choice for boys seeking something strong and distinctive.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighEnglish, Scandinavian
MeaningVariant spelling of Carson, an English and Scandinavian surname meaning 'son of Carr,' where Carr derives from Old Norse 'kjarr' meaning marsh, boggy ground
U.S. rank (2025)#453 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births690 boys (0.04% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)≈ 21,380

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201819662025

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

History & Origin

Karson is an alternate spelling of Carson, an English and Scandinavian surname derived from a place name. The root comes from Old Norse kjarr meaning marsh or boggy ground, combined with the Anglo-Saxon son (son of), giving the meaning 'son of the marsh-dweller.' The name was first a surname and later transferred to first-name use.

Carson and its Karson variant gained first-name traction in the United States from the mid-20th century onward, influenced by Western culture and television host Johnny Carson. The K spelling variant is a modern American preference, signaling a slightly more contemporary or distinctive feel.

Did you know? Carson City, the capital of Nevada, was named after frontiersman Kit Carson — making Carson (and Karson) one of the few names tied to a U.S. state capital, adding a distinctly American Western dimension.
Overall data confidence 87%
Behind the Name — Carson — etymology for the Carson/Karson nameU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

CarsonCarsenKarsen

Nicknames

KarKars

Famous Bearers

  • ★Carson (Kit Carson) (1809–1868)
    American frontiersman and explorer; Carson City, Nevada is named after him

If you like Karson…

Carson— the standard spelling of the same name
Colton— shares the rugged -ton/-son Western American surname feel
Mason— another occupational/topographic surname name with the same era of popularity
Dalton— shares the frontier American surname name energy

Frequently Asked

What does Karson mean?

Karson is a variant of Carson, meaning 'son of Carr,' where Carr comes from Old Norse 'kjarr' meaning marsh or boggy ground.

How do you pronounce Karson?

Karson is pronounced KAR-sun /ˈkɑːr.sən/ — two syllables with stress on the first, identical to Carson.

Is Karson different from Carson?

They are alternate spellings with the same pronunciation. The K spelling is a modern American variant that gives the name a slightly more distinctive look.

Is Karson a popular boys' name?

Karson and Carson together have been in the U.S. top 200 boys' names in recent decades, popular for their Western, rugged feel.