The name Watson is an English given name derived from the Old English word "wat", meaning "wood" or "forest". It originated as a surname in the 12th century, referring to someone who lived near or worked in a wooded area.

The earliest recorded use of Watson as a first name dates back to the late 16th century. One of the earliest known individuals with the name was Sir Walter Watson (1559-1624), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament.

In the 17th century, Watson gained popularity as a first name among Puritans in England and later in the American colonies. This was likely due to the name's association with nature and the outdoors, which aligned with the Puritan values of simplicity and connection with God's creation.

A notable figure with the name Watson was Sir William Watson (1715-1787), an English botanist and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of plant life and the classification of species. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1757.

In the 19th century, the name Watson became more widespread, particularly in the United States. One of the most famous individuals with this name was Dr. John Watson, the fictional companion and biographer of Sherlock Holmes in the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930).

Another notable figure was Thomas E. Watson (1856-1922), an American politician, writer, and populist leader who served as a U.S. Representative and later as a Senator from Georgia. He was known for his advocacy of farmers' rights and his opposition to corporate monopolies.

In the 20th century, the name Watson continued to be used, with one of the most famous bearers being James D. Watson (1928-), an American molecular biologist and geneticist who co-discovered the double helix structure of DNA with Francis Crick in 1953. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962.