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Hudson

♀ Girl

Pronounced HUD-sun /ˈhʌd.sən/High

Meaning: son of Hudd/Hugh, heart's sonMedium

In 30 seconds: Hudson is an English surname meaning son of Hugh, now used as a given name for girls and boys. Its association with the Hudson River gives it an adventurous, geographic appeal.
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Origin HighEnglish
Meaningson of Hudd/Hugh, heart's son
U.S. rank (2024)#2248 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births83 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,799

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619952024

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

History & Origin

Hudson is an English patronymic surname meaning son of Hudd or Hugh, from the Germanic name Hugo meaning mind or spirit. Henry Hudson, the 17th-century explorer, gave his name to the Hudson River, Hudson Bay, and Hudson Strait in North America.

Hudson emerged as a given name in the 1990s as surname-as-first-name style grew popular. It has been used for boys predominantly but increasingly appears for girls as gender-neutral geographic names gain traction in 21st-century naming.

Did you know? The Hudson River was named after English explorer Henry Hudson (d. c. 1611), who sailed into its waters in 1609 while searching for a Northwest Passage to Asia on behalf of the Dutch East India Company.
Overall data confidence 82%
Hanks & Hodges, Dictionary of First Names — reference for HudsonBehind the Name: Hudson — name etymology referenceOxford Dictionary of Surnames — reference for Hudson

Variations

HudsenHudston

Nicknames

HudSonny

Famous Bearers

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If you like Hudson…

Harlow— similarly bold surname-name used for girls
Quinn— two-syllable gender-neutral surname name
Parker— English surname name popular for both sexes
River— geographic nature name with similar adventurous feel
Reagan— Irish surname name used for girls

Frequently Asked

What does Hudson mean?

Hudson means son of Hugh or son of Hudd, from the Old English/Germanic Hugo meaning mind or spirit.

How do you pronounce Hudson?

Hudson is pronounced HUD-sun (/ˈhʌd.sən/), with two syllables.

Is Hudson a girl's name?

Hudson is traditionally a surname and boy's name that is increasingly used for girls as gender-neutral naming grows.

How popular is the name Hudson?

Hudson has been a popular boy's name since the 1990s and is growing in use for girls in the 21st century.