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

Popularity of Houston by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Houston is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 96% of people named Houston being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 387 male babies and 15 female babies born with the name Houston.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 15 baby girls were named Houston in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Houston

The name Houston is an English given name derived from the surname Houston, which originated in Scotland. The surname is thought to have its roots in the Old English words "hūs" meaning "house" and "tūn" meaning "settlement" or "farm," suggesting the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a particular homestead or village.

In terms of historical references, the name Houston appears in Scottish records dating back to the 12th century. One of the earliest recorded instances is a charter from the reign of King William the Lion (1165-1214), which mentions a person named Hugh de Paduinan, whose name later evolved into Houston.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Houston. One of the earliest was Sir John Houston (c. 1378-1430), a Scottish nobleman and diplomat who served as the Lord Chancellor of Scotland under King James I. Another prominent figure was Samuel Houston (1793-1863), an American soldier and politician who served as the President of the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1838 and later as a U.S. Senator.

In the realm of literature, the name Houston is associated with the American writer and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960), whose works explored the rich cultural heritage of African Americans in the southern United States. The name also has ties to the world of sports, with notable athletes such as Whitney Houston (1963-2012), a legendary American singer and actress, and Dwight Houston (1942-2022), a former professional basketball player who spent several seasons in the NBA.

Another influential figure with the name Houston was Charles Hamilton Houston (1895-1950), a prominent African American lawyer and civil rights activist who played a pivotal role in laying the legal groundwork for the eventual dismantling of racial segregation in the United States. His contributions were instrumental in the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education.

While the name Houston has its roots in Scotland, it has gained popularity and recognition around the world, particularly in the United States, where it has been associated with various notable figures across different fields, from politics and literature to sports and entertainment.

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 Houston was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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