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Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Karson

Karson

β™‚ Boy

Pronounced KAR-sun /ˈkɑːr.sΙ™n/High

Meaning: Variant spelling of Carson, an English and Scandinavian surname meaning 'son of Carr,' where Carr derives from Old Norse 'kjarr' meaning marsh, boggy groundHigh

In 30 seconds: Karson is a rugged, modern spelling of Carson with Old Norse roots meaning 'son of the marsh-dweller.' It carries a Western, frontier feel and is a popular choice for boys seeking something strong and distinctive.
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Origin HighEnglish, Scandinavian
MeaningVariant spelling of Carson, an English and Scandinavian surname meaning 'son of Carr,' where Carr derives from Old Norse 'kjarr' meaning marsh, boggy ground
U.S. rank (2025)#453 β†˜ Falling
2025 U.S. births690 boys (0.04% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 21,380

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 201819662025

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

Karson is an alternate spelling of Carson, an English and Scandinavian surname derived from a place name. The root comes from Old Norse kjarr meaning marsh or boggy ground, combined with the Anglo-Saxon son (son of), giving the meaning 'son of the marsh-dweller.' The name was first a surname and later transferred to first-name use.

Carson and its Karson variant gained first-name traction in the United States from the mid-20th century onward, influenced by Western culture and television host Johnny Carson. The K spelling variant is a modern American preference, signaling a slightly more contemporary or distinctive feel.

Did you know? Carson City, the capital of Nevada, was named after frontiersman Kit Carson β€” making Carson (and Karson) one of the few names tied to a U.S. state capital, adding a distinctly American Western dimension.
Overall data confidence 87%
Behind the Name β€” Carson β€” etymology for the Carson/Karson nameU.S. Social Security Administration β€” popularity data

Variations

CarsonCarsenKarsen

Nicknames

KarKars

Famous Bearers

  • β˜…Carson (Kit Carson) (1809–1868)
    American frontiersman and explorer; Carson City, Nevada is named after him

If you like Karson…

Carsonβ€” the standard spelling of the same name
Coltonβ€” shares the rugged -ton/-son Western American surname feel
Masonβ€” another occupational/topographic surname name with the same era of popularity
Daltonβ€” shares the frontier American surname name energy

Explore names like Karson

By thememodernenglishsurname-namescandinavianwestern

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Frequently Asked

What does Karson mean?

Karson is a variant of Carson, meaning 'son of Carr,' where Carr comes from Old Norse 'kjarr' meaning marsh or boggy ground.

How do you pronounce Karson?

Karson is pronounced KAR-sun /ˈkɑːr.sΙ™n/ β€” two syllables with stress on the first, identical to Carson.

Is Karson different from Carson?

They are alternate spellings with the same pronunciation. The K spelling is a modern American variant that gives the name a slightly more distinctive look.

Is Karson a popular boys' name?

Karson and Carson together have been in the U.S. top 200 boys' names in recent decades, popular for their Western, rugged feel.

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