Find out how popular the first name Pearson has been for the last 49 years (from 1975 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Pearson by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Pearson is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 91% of people named Pearson being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 41 male babies and 5 female babies born with the name Pearson.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby girls were named Pearson in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Pearson

The name Pearson originated from the English language and is believed to have emerged around the 12th century. It is a combination of the words "pear" and "son," suggesting that it was initially used to refer to the son of someone who cultivated or sold pears.

During the Middle Ages, names derived from occupations or familial relationships were common. Pearson likely belonged to this category, as it identified an individual's connection to the pear trade or cultivation.

While there are no known ancient texts or religious scriptures that directly mention the name Pearson, it is possible that it appeared in medieval records or documents related to trade or agriculture.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Pearson is found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, England, from the year 1199, where a person named William Pearson is mentioned.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Pearson. Here are five examples:

1. John Pearson (1613-1686), an English theologian and scholar who served as the Bishop of Chester and wrote several works on theology and biography.

2. Karl Pearson (1857-1936), an English mathematician and philosopher who made significant contributions to the field of statistics and developed the concept of the correlation coefficient.

3. Lester B. Pearson (1897-1972), a Canadian scholar, statesman, and diplomat who served as the 14th Prime Minister of Canada and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for his efforts in resolving the Suez Crisis.

4. Drew Pearson (1897-1969), an American journalist and author known for his influential "Washington Merry-Go-Round" newspaper column, which exposed numerous political scandals and earned him both praise and criticism.

5. Richmond Pearson Hobson (1870-1937), an American naval officer who gained fame for his attempt to sink the USS Merrimac in Santiago Harbor during the Spanish-American War, temporarily blocking the harbor entrance.

These individuals, spanning different centuries and fields, exemplify the varied contributions and accomplishments of those who have borne the name Pearson throughout history.

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

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

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