Home › Baby Names Directory › Addison
Addison
Pronounced AD-ih-sun /ˈædɪsən/High
Meaning: Son of Adam; from Old English Adde + sunu (son) — a patronymic surname now used for girlsHigh
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Addison is a patronymic English surname, derived from Adde (a medieval form of Adam) and sunu (son), meaning 'son of Adam.' Adam itself comes from the Hebrew for earth or man. The surname was borne by essayist Joseph Addison (1672–1719), co-founder of The Spectator. Like many surnames, it converted to a first name as part of the American surname-name trend.
Addison was used occasionally as a boys' name in the 20th century but pivoted decisively to girls in the 2000s. The TV character Addison Montgomery accelerated this crossover, sending the name into the U.S. top 100 by 2006. It has since settled into the top 30–50 range, a firmly established modern girls' name despite its historically masculine -son ending.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Joseph Addison (1672–1719)English essayist and poet, co-founder of The Spectator magazine.
If you like Addison…
Frequently Asked
What does the name Addison mean?
Addison is an Old English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Adam,' from Adde (a medieval form of Adam) and sunu (son).
How do you pronounce Addison?
It's said AD-ih-sun /ˈædɪsən/ — three syllables, stress on the first.
Is Addison a boy or girl name?
Addison is now used predominantly as a girls' name in the U.S., though it originated as a masculine surname.
How popular is Addison?
Addison was among the top girls' names around 2010 and remains in the top 100.