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Peterson
Pronounced PEE-ter-sun /ˈpi.tər.sən/High
Meaning: A patronymic surname — 'the son of Peter' (Peter, from the Greek petros, 'a rock/stone'); we note the surnameLow
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
Peterson is a patronymic surname — 'the son of Peter' (Peter, from the Greek petros, 'a rock/stone'; we note the surname). A crisp, modern name (said 'PEE-ter-sun').
In the U.S. it appears as a surname-name (also common in Haiti). Rare, the-son-of-Peter at the root, and crisp.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Peterson mean?
Peterson is a surname — 'the son of Peter' (Peter, 'a rock/stone'). We note the surname.
How do you pronounce Peterson?
It's said PEE-ter-sun /ˈpi.tər.sən/ — three syllables, stress on the first.
Is Peterson a boy or girl name?
Peterson is a boy's name.
How popular is Peterson?
Peterson is a very rare name in the U.S.