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Carson

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAR-son /ˈkɑːr.sən/Low

Meaning: Son of Carr; marsh dweller, or son of the one from the rocky landLow

In 30 seconds: Carson is a Scottish and Irish surname meaning son of Carr, where Carr referred to someone living near a rocky or marshy area. As a gender-neutral given name it has a frontier strength and literary pedigree thanks to authors Carson McCullers and Rachel Carson.

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Origin LowScottish, Irish

MeaningSon of Carr; marsh dweller, or son of the one from the rocky land

U.S. rank (2025)#1174 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births197 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1999

Total births (all-time)≈ 8,113

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

Carson is a Scottish and Irish surname derived from the Gaelic element meaning rocky land or marsh. As a given name it crossed over in the United States in the 20th century, first for boys and then increasingly as a unisex name.

Carson has grown for girls in the 21st century, fitting the trend of strong surname-names used as given names. Its two-syllable clarity and frontier-explorer associations (from naturalist Rachel Carson and Johnny Carson) give it wide appeal.

Did you know? Carson McCullers, born Lula Carson Smith in 1917, chose to go by her middle name Carson — a bold choice for a woman at the time that contributed to the name's association with literary brilliance and unconventional thinking.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name: Carson

Variations

CarsenCarsynKarson

Nicknames

CarsCar

Famous Bearers

★Rachel Carson (1907–1964)
American marine biologist and author of Silent Spring (Carson is her surname; used here as a notable bearer of the name)
★Carson McCullers (1917–1967)
American novelist known for The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter; Carson was her given name (born Lula Carson Smith)

If you like Carson…

Emerson— Same surname-to-unisex-name trend

Madison— Surname used primarily for girls

Sawyer— Two-syllable surname name with same modern feel

Dillon— echoes that soft -on sound

Casey— a similarly popular pick

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Frequently Asked

What does Carson mean?

Carson means son of Carr, a surname from Scottish and Irish Gaelic referring to someone from a rocky or marshy area.

Is Carson a boy or girl name?

Carson is a gender-neutral name used for both boys and girls, though it is increasingly popular for girls in the United States.

How do you pronounce Carson?

Carson is pronounced KAR-son, with two syllables.

Who are famous people named Carson?

Notable bearers include naturalist Rachel Carson and novelist Carson McCullers.