Richardson Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The surname Richardson originates from Old English, meaning 'son of Richard,' which itself stems from the Old High German name Ricard, meaning 'brave ruler.' The name has evolved through various forms in the English language and reflects traits of strength and leadership. There is no significant biblical relevance associated with the name, but it gained popularity during the medieval period as surnames became common. Today, it is viewed positively and is associated with notable historical figures.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Richardson"
Pronunciation
/ˈrɪtʃərdzən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The surname Richardson is derived from the given name Richard, which means 'brave ruler' or 'powerful leader.' The 'son' suffix indicates 'son of Richard.'
Meaning
son of Richard
Language Evolution
Richard (Old High German), Ricard (Old French), Richard (Middle English), Richardson (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Richardson gained popularity in England during the medieval period, particularly after the Norman Conquest when surnames began to be formally adopted.
Variants & Derivatives
Richards, Rickard, Ricky
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Richardson is a well-recognized surname in English-speaking countries, often associated with strength and leadership, reflecting its historical roots.
Famous People
William Richardson - British architect, Sir John Richardson - British naval officer and explorer, J. M. Richardson - American politician
📊 Richardson Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Richardson Name Visualizations
✨ Richardson Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 16 peak births in 2000
Geographic Spread
Popular across 2 US states, with strongest presence in Florida
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Richardson"
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 "Richardson"
"Richardson" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 5374th of 7545 | 24 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4231st of 6773 | 47 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3771st of 7552 | 83 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4832nd of 10718 | 72 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5132nd of 16616 | 138 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6349th of 24088 | 183 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 8004th of 23106 | 112 |
Regional Popularity of "Richardson" 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) |
- |
63.49% 2841st/4475 |
64.02% 3325th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
39.16% 2864th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
63.97% 4364th/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Richardson" 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 "Richardson"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Richardson" 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 "Richardson" in the United States
The name Richardson 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, Richardson has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Richardson' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5374th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4231st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3771st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4832nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5132nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6349th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 8004th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Richardson' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.