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Stetson

♂ Boy

Pronounced STET-sun /ˈstɛt.sən/High

Meaning: Son of Stephen or Stephen's town — from English surname Stetson, itself from the personal name Stephen + Old English <em>sunu</em> (son) or <em>tūn</em> (settlement)Medium

In 30 seconds: A bold American surname-name with Western frontier associations, Stetson is best known as the hat brand synonymous with the American cowboy — giving the name instant iconography and rugged American identity.
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Origin MediumOld English, American English
MeaningSon of Stephen or Stephen's town — from English surname Stetson, itself from the personal name Stephen + Old English <em>sunu</em> (son) or <em>tūn</em> (settlement)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,670

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201719302017

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

History & Origin

Stetson is an English surname, most likely a patronymic from Stephen (from Greek Stephanos, meaning 'crown') combined with Old English sunu (son). The name became famous through the Philadelphia hat-making family, particularly John B. Stetson, whose hats defined the American West.

Stetson appeared in U.S. birth records as a given name in the early 21st century, part of the broader trend for Western-flavored surname-names (Colt, Ranger, Bowie, Weston). It entered the U.S. top 500 boys' names and has grown steadily, appealing to parents who want a bold, distinctly American name with an iconic cultural identity.

Did you know? John B. Stetson (1830–1906) designed the wide-brimmed 'Boss of the Plains' hat in 1865 specifically for the demands of the American West. The Stetson hat became so synonymous with cowboy culture that the word 'Stetson' is used as a synonym for any wide-brimmed Western hat.

Variations

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Nicknames

StetsTet

Famous Bearers

  • ★John B. Stetson (1830–1906)
    American hat-maker who designed the iconic Stetson cowboy hat, defining Western American iconography.

If you like Stetson…

Colton— two-syllable Old English -ton surname-name with the same Western American feel
Weston— Old English place-name surname popular with the same Western-leaning audience
Beau— one-syllable Southern/Western name sharing Stetson's frontier character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Stetson mean?

Stetson is an English surname likely meaning 'son of Stephen,' from the given name Stephen and Old English <em>sunu</em> (son).

How do you pronounce Stetson?

Stetson is pronounced STET-sun /ˈstɛt.sən/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Stetson a boy or girl name?

Stetson is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Stetson?

Stetson entered the U.S. top 500 boys' names in the early 21st century and continues to grow as Western-themed names remain in fashion.