Watson
Watson is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Son of Walter (meaning 'ruler of the army').
Origin and history
Watson is an English surname derived from the medieval given name Wat, a diminutive of Walter. Long established as a traditional family name, it has gained popularity as a given name in the United States in recent years. It carries a classical yet modern surname-as-first-name appeal.
Popularity in the United States
6,699 babies in the United States have been named Watson since 1880. It ranks #1476 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #712.
States where it is most popular
- GA (9.6 %)
- TX (8.5 %)
- NC (5.6 %)
- CA (4.7 %)
- PA (4.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 105 |
| 1890-1900 | 126 |
| 1900-1910 | 123 |
| 1910-1920 | 543 |
| 1920-1930 | 537 |
| 1930-1940 | 375 |
| 1940-1950 | 334 |
| 1950-1960 | 250 |
| 1960-1970 | 154 |
| 1970-1980 | 105 |
| 1980-1990 | 129 |
| 1990-2000 | 155 |
| 2000-2010 | 219 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,459 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,085 |
Famous people named Watson
- Watson Washburn: Tennis player
Fun facts
- The name is famous worldwide due to Dr. John Watson, the loyal companion of Sherlock Holmes created by Arthur Conan Doyle.
- It originated as a patronymic name meaning 'son of Wat', with Wat being a medieval pet form of Walter.
- Watson has seen a notable resurgence in U.S. birth registries in the 2020s alongside other revived surname-names.