Orson Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Orson is a name of Latin origin meaning 'bear.' It evolved from Old French and Latin forms, passing through Middle English. The name is associated with strength and has gained popularity in the 19th century due to notable personalities. It has no biblical relevance but carries a classic and artistic image in modern times.
The name Orson is most popular in Utah, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Orson has been too falling for male in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Orson' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1642nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2029th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2276th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2672nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5720th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5103rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1766th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Orson' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Orson"
Pronunciation
/ˈɔːrsən/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Orson is derived from the Latin word 'ursus,' meaning 'bear.' It has also been associated with the Old French 'orcin,' which means 'bear cub.'
Meaning
bear
Language Evolution
Old French: orcin, Latin: ursus, Middle English: Orson
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, due in part to literary works and prominent figures bearing the name.
Variants & Derivatives
Orsen, Oris, Orsino
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Orson is viewed as a classic name with a vintage charm, often associated with creativity and artistic expression due to notable figures in film and literature.
Famous People
Orson Welles, Orson Bean, Orson Scott Card
Explore More Orson Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Orson"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Orson"
"Orson" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1642nd of 7545 | 339 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2029th of 6773 | 242 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2276th of 7552 | 243 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2672nd of 10718 | 218 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5720th of 16616 | 115 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5103rd of 24088 | 253 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1766th of 23106 | 1,072 |
Regional Popularity of "Orson" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
91.44% 1261st/1379 |
- |
52.45% 599th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
71.21% 1108th/1556 |
- |
55.33% 856th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
67.94% 1651st/2430 |
77.71% 2217th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
53.89% 1877th/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
63.94% 4039th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
64.60% 3336th/5164 |
- |
52.71% 3934th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
47.16% 1879th/3984 |
40.78% 1830th/4487 |
34.30% 2340th/6822 |
21.94% 1377th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Orson" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Orson"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Orson" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.