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

Popularity of Orson by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Orson is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 132 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Orson.

The history of the first name Orson

The name Orson originated from the Old Norse language and culture. It is believed to have derived from the Old Norse elements "ors" meaning "bear" and "sun" meaning "son" or "kin". This combination suggests the name could have been used to refer to someone as "bear's son" or "bear's kin".

Orson was a popular name during the Viking Age, particularly among Scandinavian settlers in parts of Europe like Britain and France. It appears in some Old Norse sagas and texts from that era, though specific references are scarce.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Orson was a semi-legendary figure from French folklore known as Orson the Woodman or Orson the Bear-Man. This character, who lived in the forests of France during the 8th century, was said to have been raised by a bear after being abandoned as a child.

Another notable bearer of the name was Orson Welles, the acclaimed American actor, director, and producer who was born in 1915 and died in 1985. He is best known for his groundbreaking film "Citizen Kane" and his iconic role as Harry Lime in "The Third Man".

Orson Pratt, born in 1811 and died in 1881, was a notable leader and apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a prolific writer and theologian who played a significant role in the early days of the Mormon Church.

Orson Scott Card, born in 1951, is a celebrated American author best known for his science fiction novel "Ender's Game" and its sequels. He has won numerous awards, including the Hugo and Nebula, for his contributions to the genre.

Orson Smothers, born in 1927 and died in 2018, was an American actor and comedian, best known for his work with his brother Dick as the comedy duo The Smothers Brothers. Their irreverent and satirical humor made them popular during the 1960s and 1970s.

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

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

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