Orson
Orson is a boy's name of French origin.
Meaning
Bear cub.
Origin and history
Orson is a masculine given name derived from an Anglo-Norman French diminutive meaning 'bear cub'. Historically known through figures like filmmaker Orson Welles, it remains a distinctive choice in the United States, experiencing a mild resurgence in modern usage.
Popularity in the United States
2,714 babies in the United States have been named Orson since 1880. It ranks #2486 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1262.
States where it is most popular
- CA (22 %)
- NY (19.2 %)
- UT (14.8 %)
- TX (11.1 %)
- WA (6.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 65 |
| 1890-1900 | 39 |
| 1900-1910 | 7 |
| 1910-1920 | 184 |
| 1920-1930 | 179 |
| 1930-1940 | 126 |
| 1940-1950 | 137 |
| 1950-1960 | 139 |
| 1960-1970 | 111 |
| 1970-1980 | 146 |
| 1980-1990 | 89 |
| 1990-2000 | 61 |
| 2000-2010 | 138 |
| 2010-2019 | 585 |
| 2020-2029 | 708 |
Famous people named Orson
- Orson Welles: Director, Actor
- Orson Scott Card: Author, Novelist
Fun facts
- The name was popularized by the medieval French romance Valentine and Orson, about twin brothers raised in different worlds.
- It derives from 'ourson', the French diminutive of 'ours' (bear), which stems from the Latin 'ursus'.