Ranson
English name possibly derived from a surname meaning "son of Randolph".
Name Census estimates that about 261 living Americans carry the first name Ranson. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Ranson today is around 36 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Ranson births was 2003 (13 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Ranson. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
261
~ 1 in 1,313,235 Americans
Peak year
2003
13 babies that year
Average age
36
years old
2022 SSA rank
#11,983
Tracked since 1914
Popularity
Ranson: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Ranson from the 1910s through to the 2020s, spanning 12 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 62 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ranson by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Ranson during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Ranson
The given name Ranson originated from the Old English language and can be traced back to the 8th century. It is derived from the Old English word "randun," which means "shield" or "protection." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to individuals who were known for their bravery and ability to shield or protect others.
In the early medieval period, the name Ranson was primarily found in regions of England, particularly in the northern counties. It was also prevalent in parts of Scotland and Wales, where the influence of Old English was significant. The name's spelling variations included Randun, Randoun, and Randon.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ranson can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions a landowner named Ranson de Barton, who held estates in Lincolnshire.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ranson. In the 13th century, Ranson de Molton was a prominent English knight who fought in the Crusades. Another well-known figure was Ranson Gernon, a 14th-century English nobleman and military commander who played a significant role in the Hundred Years' War.
During the Renaissance period, Ranson Everard (1515-1580) was an English scholar and translator known for his work on ancient Greek texts. In the 17th century, Ranson Holme (1625-1699) was a renowned English heraldic writer and author of "The Academy of Armory."
In the realm of literature, Ranson Dexter (1798-1872) was an American poet and writer who gained recognition for his works celebrating nature and rural life. Another literary figure was Ranson Wilcox (1832-1917), a Canadian writer and journalist who contributed significantly to the development of Canadian literature.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Ranson throughout history, highlighting its enduring presence across various cultures and time periods.
People
Ranson + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Ranson as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with R
Other first names starting with R with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Ranson: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Ranson?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 261 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Ranson going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,313,235 US residents.
Is Ranson a common name?
We classify Ranson as "Very Rare". It ranks above 77.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 357 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Ranson most popular?
The single biggest year for Ranson was 2003, when 13 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Ranson is about 36 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Ranson a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Ranson in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.