Find out how popular the first name Anderson has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Anderson by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Anderson is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 95% of people named Anderson being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,005 male babies and 114 female babies born with the name Anderson.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 114 baby girls were named Anderson in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Anderson

The name Anderson originates from the Old English words "Andr" and "sunu," meaning "son of Andr." It is believed to have been derived from the Greek name "Andreas," which means "manly" or "brave." This name has its roots in the early medieval period, around the 5th to 10th centuries AD.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Anderson dates back to the 12th century in England. It was initially a patronymic surname, indicating the son of a person named Andr or Andrew. Over time, it transitioned into a given name in its own right.

In the 13th century, the name appears in various historical records, such as the Domesday Book and the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire. This suggests that it was already in use among the Anglo-Saxon population of Britain at that time.

One notable historical figure with the name Anderson was Sir Edmund Anderson (1530-1605), an English jurist and Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He played a significant role in the legal system of his time.

Another prominent individual was Andrew Anderson (1746-1820), a Scottish scientist and inventor who made important contributions to the development of the steam engine and the application of steam power in transportation.

In the literary world, Sherwood Anderson (1876-1941) was an American novelist and short story writer known for his works such as "Winesburg, Ohio" and his influence on the modernist movement in literature.

The name also found its way into the realm of music with Anderson Paak (born 1986), an American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his unique blend of genres and collaborations with artists like Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar.

Lastly, Anderson Silva (born 1975) is a Brazilian former professional mixed martial artist and one of the most successful and influential figures in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

These examples demonstrate the widespread use of the name Anderson across various fields and cultures throughout history, from law and science to literature, music, and sports.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Anderson was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Anderson, please contact us.

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