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Carlson
Pronounced KARL-sən /ˈkɑrl.sən/High
Meaning: From the surname Carlson — 'a son of Carl' (Carl, from Germanic, 'a free man')Medium
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
Carlson comes from the surname Carlson — 'a son of Carl', the name Carl from Germanic karl, 'a free man'. Widespread across Scandinavia and Scandinavian-American families. A crisp, distinguished surname-name (nickname Carl).
In the U.S. it appears as a fresh first name. Rare, a-son-of-the-free-man at the root, and distinguished.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Carlson mean?
Carlson is a Scandinavian surname — 'a son of Carl' (the free man).
How do you pronounce Carlson?
It's said KARL-sən /ˈkɑrl.sən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Carlson a boy or girl name?
Carlson is a boy's name.
How popular is Carlson?
Carlson is a rare name in the U.S.