Peterson Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Peterson is an English surname that means 'son of Peter', rooted in the Greek word for rock. It evolved from the Old English form of Peter and has maintained its popularity throughout history. The name is often associated with strength and reliability, reflecting its biblical relevance through the apostle Peter.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Peterson"
Pronunciation
/ˈpiːtərsən/
Origin
English
Etymology
Peterson is a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Peter'. The name Peter itself is derived from the Greek word 'petros', meaning rock or stone.
Meaning
son of Peter
Language Evolution
Peter (Old English: Pēter), Peterson (Middle English), Peterson (Modern English)
Biblical Background
The name Peter is significant in the Christian tradition, as it is associated with one of Jesus' apostles.
Historical Usage
The surname Peterson became common in England and Scotland during the Middle Ages and has remained prevalent into modern times.
Variants & Derivatives
Peters, Peterson, Petersen, Pettersson
Modern Popularity & Image
Peterson is a widely recognized surname and is often viewed as a traditional name with a strong familial connection.
Famous People
Jordan B. Peterson, Carl Peterson, Rae Ann Peterson
📊 Peterson Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Peterson Name Visualizations
✨ Peterson Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 28 peak births in 1989
Geographic Spread
Popular across 3 US states, with strongest presence in Florida
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Peterson"
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 "Peterson"
"Peterson" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4028th of 7552 | 69 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4167th of 10718 | 99 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3118th of 16616 | 291 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5407th of 24088 | 233 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 7747th of 23106 | 118 |
Regional Popularity of "Peterson" by Generation for Male 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) |
- |
52.36% 2343rd/4475 |
33.63% 1747th/5194 |
63.94% 4039th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
32.70% 2391st/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
74.46% 5080th/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Peterson" 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 "Peterson"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Peterson" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Peterson" in the United States
The name Peterson is most popular in Florida, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the South 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, Peterson has been stalled 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 Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Peterson' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4028th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4167th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3118th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5407th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 7747th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Peterson' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.