Simpson first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Simpson has been for the last 19 years (from 1974 to 1992) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Simpson

A masculine name of obscure meaning, possibly related to son or child.

Popularity of Simpson by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Simpson is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1992, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Simpson.

Year Male Count Female Count
1992 5 0
1991 6 0
1989 9 0
1988 5 0
1986 8 0
1985 7 0
1983 6 0
1978 6 0
1977 6 0
1976 5 0
1974 5 0

The history of the first name Simpson

The given name Simpson is an English name derived from the Old English words "suno" and "mann", which together mean "son of Simon". It originated as a patronymic surname during the Middle Ages in England, referring to the son of a person named Simon.

Simpson is believed to have first emerged as a first name in the late 16th or early 17th century, as it became more common for people to adopt surnames as given names. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Simpson being used as a first name dates back to 1623, when Simpson Tonge was born in England.

In the 17th century, a notable bearer of the name was Simpson Muggleton, an English religious figure born in 1609. He was the co-founder of the Muggletonian sect, a small Protestant Christian movement that emerged in the 1650s.

During the 18th century, Simpson Gamult was an English actor and playwright born in 1704. He was known for his performances in various plays and for writing the comedy "The Life and Death of the Great Harlequin".

In the 19th century, Simpson Africanus was a prominent English abolitionist born in 1802. He was a former slave who escaped to England and became a vocal advocate for the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.

Another notable figure with the name Simpson was Simpson Kallenbach, a South African architect born in 1888. He was a close friend and associate of Mahatma Gandhi and played a significant role in the Indian independence movement.

Throughout history, the name Simpson has been used across various cultures and regions, although it remains most commonly associated with its English origins. While not as widely popular as some other names, it has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, reflecting its enduring appeal and versatility.

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

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

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"Simpson first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 13, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/simpson-meaning-and-history/.

"Simpson first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/simpson-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 13 June, 2025

Simpson first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/simpson-meaning-and-history/.

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