Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Orson
Orson
Pronounced OR-suhn /ΛΙΙΉ.sΙn/Medium
Meaning: From a Norman French nickname from Latin 'ursus' (bear), meaning 'bear cub'.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
The name began as a Norman French nickname drawn from Latin 'ursus', 'bear', with the affectionate sense 'bear cub'. That image of a small, sturdy bear has stayed with the name ever since.
Related forms include the Latin Ursus and the Italian Orso; bearers include the filmmaker Orson Welles, of Citizen Kane fame, and the science fiction author Orson Scott Card, who wrote Ender's Game.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
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Orson Welles (1915-1985)American actor, director, and writer celebrated for the film 'Citizen Kane' and the 1938 radio broadcast of 'The War of the Worlds'.
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Orson Scott Card (1951-present)American science fiction author best known for the novel 'Ender's Game' and its sequels.
Frequently Asked
What does the name Orson mean?
Orson is usually explained as meaning 'bear' and is most often linked with English tradition.
How do you pronounce Orson?
It's commonly said OR-suhn /ΛΙΙΉ.sΙn/.
Is Orson a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Orson is used as a boy name.
How popular is Orson?
In 2024, Orson ranked #1500 in the U.S. for boys, with 119 births recorded.