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Home › Baby Names Directory › Mason

Mason

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAY-sun /ˈmeɪsən/High

Meaning: Occupational surname from Old French 'masson' and Medieval Latin 'macio,' meaning 'a stonecutter or bricklayer,' one who works with stone or brick.High

In 30 seconds: Once a purely masculine surname, Mason has crossed into bold territory as a girls' name, riding the wave of strong occupational surnames chosen for daughters. Grounded, strong, and refreshingly unisex.
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Origin HighOld French, English
MeaningOccupational surname from Old French 'masson' and Medieval Latin 'macio,' meaning 'a stonecutter or bricklayer,' one who works with stone or brick.
U.S. rank (2025)#3153 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births51 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2004
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,348

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200419162025

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

Mason is an English occupational surname derived from Old French masson (from Medieval Latin macio), referring to a stonecutter or someone who builds with stone or brick. The craft of masonry was among the most important skilled trades of the medieval period, and workers who practiced it took the occupational surname Mason as family names began to solidify in England and France in the 12th and 13th centuries. The name entered English following the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Mason transitioned from surname to first name in the United States in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, initially as a boys' name that rose rapidly in popularity. By the 2010s, Mason began to be used for girls as well, part of the ongoing trend of strong surname-names crossing gender lines. While still more common for boys, Mason for girls reflects the broader move toward gender-neutral and traditionally masculine names for daughters.

Did you know? The word mason entered English from Old French after the Norman Conquest of 1066 — so every child named Mason is carrying a linguistic reminder of one of history's most transformative invasions.
Overall data confidence 93%
Behind the Name — Mason — Old French occupational etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — usage data for Mason as girls' name

Variations

MaisynMasen

Nicknames

MaceMay

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Mason…

Madison— equally popular surname-as-first-name with a similar crossover to girls' use
Morgan— strong gender-neutral surname-name with the same bold, modern appeal
Emerson— occupational-surname name popular for girls with comparable two-syllable energy
Karson— fellow strong surname-style name increasingly used for girls in the same era

Explore names like Mason

By thememodernamericansurname-namestrongoccupationalgender-neutral
By meaningRock / Stone

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mason mean?

Mason means 'stonecutter' or 'bricklayer,' from Old French masson, an occupational surname for someone who works with stone.

How do you pronounce Mason?

Mason is pronounced MAY-sun /ˈmeɪsən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Mason a boy or girl name?

Mason is traditionally a boys' name but is increasingly used for girls, making it a strong gender-neutral choice.

How popular is Mason?

Mason has been one of the top boys' names in the United States for over a decade; its use for girls is growing but remains less common.

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