Anderson Name Meaning

Anderson is a surname of Scottish origin, and it means “son of Andrew.”

Origins of the Name Anderson

Andrew is a name that comes from the Greek word “andreios,” which means “manly” or “warrior.” So, when you name your son Anderson, you’re essentially saying that he’s a son of a warrior! How cool is that?

Popularity of the Name Anderson

Anderson may have started out as a Scottish surname, but it’s since become a popular given name all over the world, including the United States. In fact, Anderson was a top 100 name in the U.S. for several decades in the 20th century. While it’s not quite as popular as it once was, it’s still a well-loved name that has a timeless quality to it.

Famous Andersons

There are plenty of famous people named Anderson, and they come from all walks of life. There’s Anderson Cooper, the news anchor and journalist, as well as Anderson Paak, the musician. And who could forget Anderson Silva, the legendary mixed martial artist?

On the literary side of things, we have Anderson Cooper, the author of several best-selling books, as well as Sherwood Anderson, the writer of “Winesburg, Ohio.” And then, of course, there’s the famous Anderson brothers, including Wes Anderson, the director of quirky indie films like “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” and Owen Wilson, his co-writer and collaborator.

Final Thoughts on the Name Anderson

There are a few things that make Anderson such a great name. First, it has a classic feel to it, which is always in style. But it’s also got a bit of a modern edge, which makes it feel fresh and relevant. And because it’s a surname, it gives a nod to family history, which is always a nice touch.

Additionally, Anderson is a versatile name that can be used in a variety of different ways. For example, you could go with the full Anderson, or you could use Andy as a nickname. And because it’s a surname, it can be easily paired with a wide range of middle and last names, making it a great choice for parents who want a little flexibility when it comes to naming their son.

All in all, Anderson is a name that has a lot going for it. It’s got a classic feel, a modern edge, and plenty of versatility, which makes it a great choice for parents who want a name that will stand the test of time. Whether you’re a fan of the famous Andersons in Hollywood and literature, or you just love the sound of the name, Anderson is definitely one to consider!

Infographic of Anderson name meaning, which is Anderson is an English name meaning son of Andrew.
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Anderson Name Popularity

How popular is the name Anderson? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 — 40 0.0114%
1911 — 37 0.0099%
1912 — 59 0.0117%
1913 — 64 0.0113%
1914 — 75 0.0108%
1915 — 83 0.0091%
1916 — 110 0.0114%
1917 — 108 0.0108%
1918 — 116 0.0108%
1919 — 124 0.0118%
1920 — 161 0.0145%
1921 — 111 0.0097%
1922 — 116 0.0104%
1923 — 112 0.01%
1924 — 115 0.0099%
1925 — 113 0.01%
1926 — 111 0.0101%
1927 — 107 0.0097%
1928 — 97 0.0091%
1929 — 80 0.0077%
1930 — 101 0.0097%
1931 — 73 0.0074%
1932 — 67 0.0068%
1933 — 69 0.0074%
1934 — 66 0.0068%
1935 — 54 0.0056%
1936 — 66 0.0069%
1937 — 52 0.0053%
1938 — 60 0.0059%
1939 — 73 0.0072%
1940 — 76 0.0072%
1941 — 72 0.0064%
1942 — 81 0.0064%
1943 — 78 0.006%
1944 — 62 0.005%
1945 — 57 0.0047%
1946 — 58 0.0039%
1947 — 80 0.0048%
1948 — 52 0.0033%
1949 — 78 0.0048%
1950 — 67 0.0042%
1951 — 63 0.0037%
1952 — 51 0.0029%
1953 — 78 0.0044%
1954 — 87 0.0048%
1955 — 68 0.0037%
1956 — 64 0.0034%
1957 — 68 0.0035%
1958 — 42 0.0022%
1959 — 43 0.0023%
1960 — 57 0.003%
1961 — 42 0.0022%
1962 — 39 0.0021%
1963 — 26 0.0014%
1964 — 46 0.0026%
1965 — 30 0.0018%
1966 — 17 0.0011%
1967 — 19 0.0013%
1968 — 27 0.0018%
1969 — 27 0.0018%
1970 — 27 0.0017%
1971 — 45 0.003%
1972 — 33 0.0024%
1973 — 15 0.0012%
1974 — 19 0.0015%
1975 — 25 0.0019%
1976 — 27 0.0021%
1977 — 24 0.0018%
1978 — 32 0.0024%
1979 — 11 0.0008%
1980 — 36 0.0025%
1981 — 26 0.0018%
1982 — 42 0.0028%
1983 — 39 0.0026%
1984 — 32 0.0022%
1985 — 58 0.0038%
1986 — 53 0.0035%
1987 — 55 0.0036%
1988 — 66 0.0042%
1989 — 60 0.0037%
1990 — 89 0.0054%
1991 — 102 0.0063%
1992 — 114 0.0071%
1993 — 97 0.0062%
1994 — 108 0.007%
1995 — 128 0.0085%
1996 — 133 0.0089%
1997 — 121 0.0082%
1998 — 117 0.0078%
1999 — 171 0.0114%
2000 — 157 0.0103%
2001 — 184 0.0122%
2002 — 234 0.0156%
2003 — 301 0.0198%
2004 — 325 0.0213%
2005 — 458 0.03%
2006 — 719 0.0459%
2007 — 908 0.0575%
2008 — 982 0.0635%
2009 — 1,105 0.0739%
2010 — 994 0.069%
2011 — 1,119 0.0785%
2012 — 1,229 0.0862%
2013 — 1,133 0.0796%
2014 — 1,134 0.0778%
2015 — 1,167 0.0802%
2016 — 1,135 0.0787%
2017 — 1,171 0.0839%
2018 — 1,142 0.0831%
2019 — 1,030 0.0761%
2020 — 1,033 0.0812%
2021 — 969 0.0793%
2022 — 965 0.0731%
2023 — 981 0.0758%

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Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Anderson

If you like Anderson, you’ll love these other names like Anderson.

What names sound like Anderson?

If you like how Anderson sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Anderson.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Ander

Lion man

Scandinavian

Andersson

Scandinavian

Andrian

Russian

Andro

Man, warrior

Greek

Andros

Man, warrior

Greek

Antero

Man, warrior

Greek

What names are similar to Anderson?

Find a name that’s like Anderson, but just a little bit different.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Henderson

Son of Henry

English

Sanderson

Son of Alexander

English

Lists With Anderson

Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Anderson.

6 Comments

  1. All first born males in my husband’s family have the initials APL. So, we continued that with Anderson Porter! We call Anderson Sonny and we love that nickname.

    Some people don’t like it because they feel Anderson is a last name. But I love how robust it is…strong name! Literally translates to son of Andrew so it’s perfect.

    Reply

  2. Anderson is my son,I named him after my late brother ?, my brother was named by my mother.

    Reply

  3. Unique, nice nickname options. Vowel like his sibling and same initial as his dad

    Reply

  4. Anderson is a surname of Scandinavian origin. Brought to the British Isles by norsemen, Vikings.

    Reply

  5. Anderson is named after my maternal grandpa (last name) so obviously my mother’s maiden name so I liked that aspect too

    I like that it’s a unique FIRST name but not so weird people don’t know how to say it. Bummer a reasonably famous person has the name but maybe it makes it helpful that it’s a little familiar (Anderson cooper) also a reference I’ve gotten a couple times is the matrix movie “Mr Anderson”

    I don’t like the nickname Andy. He’s not 6 months old yet so I believe I can keep that nick name far from him. A nick name we’ve used is Anders

    Reply

  6. Anderson is actually his middle name. His first name is David after his father, but we call him by his middle name. Anderson is my father’s Swedish family name, and was originally spelled Andersson, but the second “s” was dropped when when they emigrated from Sweden to the US in the early 1900s.

    Reply

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