Hudson Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Hudson Name Meaning

Fact: A famous bearer of this surname was Henry Hudson, an English explorer known for exploring Canada and parts of the northeastern United States in the early 17th century.

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A Deep Dive

Hudson Overview

Meaning

Son of Hugh/Hudd

Gender

Boy, Gender-neutral

Origin

English

Etymology

Derived from an English surname used to denote “son of Hugh/Hudd.”

Pronunciation

/ˈhʌd.sən/

Popularity

Ranked as the 27th most popular name in 2022 in the USA; primarily used in English-speaking countries.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

9 (Humanitarian, Selfless, Creative)

Name Styles

Popular, Modern, Cool, Edgy, Cute

Associated Traits

Strong, adventurous, pioneering

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Associated with spiritual themes such as resilience, strength, and the idea of divine fatherhood or creation.
A Deep Dive

Hudson Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Hughson, Hudsen, Hudsyn, Hodson, Hudsan, Hutson, Hughes, Hadson, Hughsen, Hewson

Common Nicknames

Hud, Sonny, Huddy, Huey, Huds, Hugh, Denny, Sunny

Diminutives

Hudi, Hughie

Famous People

  • Kate Hudson
    (American Actress)
  • Rock Hudson
    (American Actor)
  • Hudson Rodrigues dos Santos
    (Brazilian Footballer)
  • Hudson Stuck
    (British Missionary and Explorer)
  • Hudson Thames
    (American Actor and Musician)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Hudson Hawk
    (Film)
  • Hudson Street
    (TV Series)
  • Hudson & Rex
    (TV Series)
  • Hudson
    ("Aliens,” Film)
  • Hudson
    ("Call of Duty: Black Ops," Video Game)
  • etc.

Places

  • Hudson River
    (USA)
  • Hudson City
    (New York, USA)
  • Hudson City,
    (Wisconsin, USA)
  • Hudson Bay
    (Canada)
  • Hudson County
    (New Jersey, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Hudson?

Hudson means “son of Hudd,” or “son of Hugh”, (with Hudd being a pet form of Hugh). The name Hugh originates from the Old French “Hugue,” which itself comes from the Old High German “Hugo,” often interpreted as “heart, mind, spirit.”

What Is the Origin of The Name Hudson?

Hudson originated as an English surname before becoming popular as a given name. As a surname, it dates back to medieval England and was used to denote “son of Hugh/Hudd.”

Over time, the name spread and became common in other English-speaking countries. It gained further popularity as a first name in recent years, particularly in North America.

It is also famously associated with the Hudson River, named after the explorer Henry Hudson, contributing to its popularity as a given name in the United States.

Hudson Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Hudson in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#342021#272022#212023
Top 3 Rankings#212023#272022#342021

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Hudson

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202321
(+6 from 2022)
7935
(+23 from 2022)
0.43333
202227
(+7 from 2021)
7912
(+291 from 2021)
0.42243
202134
(+9 from 2020)
7621
(+773 from 2020)
0.40676
202043
(+7 from 2019)
6848
(+358 from 2019)
0.37023
201950
(+5 from 2018)
6490
(-84 from 2018)
0.33771
201855
(+9 from 2017)
6574
(+786 from 2017)
0.33821
201764
(-3 from 2016)
5788
(-338 from 2016)
0.29245
201661
(+4 from 2015)
6126
(+78 from 2015)
0.30242
201565
(+15 from 2014)
6048
(+807 from 2014)
0.29583
201480
(+7 from 2013)
5241
(+570 from 2013)
0.25576
201387
(+6 from 2012)
4671
(+451 from 2012)
0.23116
201293
(+19 from 2011)
4220
(+777 from 2011)
0.20797
2011112
(+27 from 2010)
3443
(+592 from 2010)
0.16949
2010139
(+11 from 2009)
2851
(+201 from 2009)
0.13877
2009150
(+26 from 2008)
2650
(+401 from 2008)
0.12495
2008176
(+30 from 2007)
2249
(+354 from 2007)
0.10315
2007206
(+45 from 2006)
1895
(+525 from 2006)
0.08555
2006251
(+25 from 2005)
1370
(+161 from 2005)
0.06249
2005276
(+53 from 2004)
1209
(+292 from 2004)
0.05683
2004329
(+62 from 2003)
917
(+248 from 2003)
0.04339
2003391
(+89 from 2002)
669
(+185 from 2002)
0.03184
2002480
(+36 from 2001)
484
(+46 from 2001)
0.02342
2001516
(+72 from 2000)
438
(+101 from 2000)
0.02118
2000588
(+107 from 1999)
337
(+95 from 1999)
0.01614
1999695
(-29 from 1998)
242
(-14 from 1998)
0.01187
1998666
(+42 from 1997)
256
(+33 from 1997)
0.01263
1997708
(-58 from 1996)
223
(-34 from 1996)
0.01116
1996650
(+347 from 1995)
257
(+133 from 1995)
0.01283
1995997
(+99 from 1994)
124
(+19 from 1994)
0.00616
19941096
(+36 from 1993)
105
(+6 from 1993)
0.00515
19931132
(+250 from 1992)
99
(+32 from 1992)
0.00479
19921382
(-14 from 1991)
67
(-1 from 1991)
0.00319
19911368
(+162 from 1990)
68
(+13 from 1990)
0.00321
19901530
(+263 from 1989)
55
(+13 from 1989)
0.00256
19891793
(-62 from 1988)
42
(+2 from 1988)
0.00200
19881731
(-22 from 1987)
40
(+1 from 1987)
0.00200
19871709
(+801 from 1986)
39
(+18 from 1986)
0.00200
19862510
(-439 from 1985)
21
(-6 from 1985)
0.00109
19852071
(+161 from 1984)
27
(+4 from 1984)
0.00140
19842232
(-327 from 1983)
23
(-5 from 1983)
0.00123
19831905
(+95 from 1982)
28
(+1 from 1982)
0.00150
19822000
(+38 from 1981)
27
(+1 from 1981)
0.00143
19812038
(+329 from 1980)
26
(+5 from 1980)
0.00140
19802367
(+409 from 1979)
21
(+5 from 1979)
0.00113
19792776
(-208 from 1978)
16
(-1 from 1978)
0.00089
19782568
(+468 from 1977)
17
(+4 from 1977)
0.00099
19773036
(+1900 from 1976)
13
(+7 from 1976)
0.00076
19764936
(-1277 from 1975)
6
(-3 from 1975)
0.00037
19753659
(-1460 from 1974)
9
(-10 from 1974)
0.00055
19742199
(+406 from 1973)
19
(+5 from 1973)
0.00117
19732605
(+548 from 1972)
14
(+4 from 1972)
0.00087
19723153
(-875 from 1971)
10
(-7 from 1971)
0.00060
19712278
(+461 from 1970)
17
(+5 from 1970)
0.00094
19702739
(-1012 from 1969)
12
(-11 from 1969)
0.00063
19691727
(+4 from 1968)
23
(+2 from 1968)
0.00126
19681731
(+409 from 1967)
21
(+7 from 1967)
0.00118
19672140
(-97 from 1966)
14
(-1 from 1966)
0.00079
19662043
(+737 from 1965)
15
(+6 from 1965)
0.00083
19652780
(-1050 from 1964)
9
(-12 from 1964)
0.00048
19641730
(+682 from 1963)
21
(+9 from 1963)
0.00104
19632412
(+1228 from 1962)
12
(+6 from 1962)
0.00058
19623640
(-1816 from 1961)
6
(-14 from 1961)
0.00029
19611824
(+2217 from 1960)
20
(+15 from 1960)
0.00093
19604041
(-1932 from 1959)
5
(-10 from 1959)
0.00023
19592109
(-84 from 1958)
15
(-1 from 1958)
0.00069
19582025
(+350 from 1957)
16
(+4 from 1957)
0.00074
19572375
(-843 from 1956)
12
(-14 from 1956)
0.00055
19561532
(+150 from 1955)
26
(+5 from 1955)
0.00121
19551682
(-14 from 1954)
21
No change from 1954
0.00100
19541668
(+41 from 1953)
21
(+1 from 1953)
0.00101
19531709
(+41 from 1952)
20
(+1 from 1952)
0.00100
19521750
(-106 from 1951)
19
(-2 from 1951)
0.00096
19511644
(-304 from 1950)
21
(-8 from 1950)
0.00110
19501340
(+161 from 1949)
29
(+5 from 1949)
0.00159
19491501
(-71 from 1948)
24
(-2 from 1948)
0.00133
19481430
(-240 from 1947)
26
(-11 from 1947)
0.00146
19471190
(+285 from 1946)
37
(+14 from 1946)
0.00199
19461475
(+106 from 1945)
23
(+5 from 1945)
0.00139
19451581
(-270 from 1944)
18
(-8 from 1944)
0.00131
19441311
(+57 from 1943)
26
No change from 1943
0.00187
19431368
(+217 from 1942)
26
(+6 from 1942)
0.00179
19421585
(+1 from 1941)
20
(+1 from 1941)
0.00142
19411586
(+150 from 1940)
19
(+3 from 1940)
0.00151
19401736
(-464 from 1939)
16
(-11 from 1939)
0.00135
19391272
(-51 from 1938)
27
(-2 from 1938)
0.00238
19381221
(+151 from 1937)
29
(+5 from 1937)
0.00255
19371372
(-147 from 1936)
24
(-5 from 1936)
0.00219
19361225
(+70 from 1935)
29
(+2 from 1935)
0.00272
19351295
(+164 from 1934)
27
(+5 from 1934)
0.00252
19341459
(-278 from 1933)
22
(-9 from 1933)
0.00207
19331181
(+284 from 1932)
31
(+8 from 1932)
0.00304
19321465
(-104 from 1931)
23
(-3 from 1931)
0.00214
19311361
(+459 from 1930)
26
(+9 from 1930)
0.00243
19301820
(-407 from 1929)
17
(-9 from 1929)
0.00151
19291413
(-159 from 1928)
26
(-7 from 1928)
0.00235
19281254
(+118 from 1927)
33
(+4 from 1927)
0.00289
19271372
(-308 from 1926)
29
(-14 from 1926)
0.00250
19261064
(-42 from 1925)
43
(-2 from 1925)
0.00375
19251022
(+147 from 1924)
45
(+7 from 1924)
0.00391
19241169
(-55 from 1923)
38
(-3 from 1923)
0.00325
19231114
(+26 from 1922)
41
(+2 from 1922)
0.00362
19221140
(-95 from 1921)
39
(-6 from 1921)
0.00347
19211045
(-10 from 1920)
45
No change from 1920
0.00395
19201035
(-86 from 1919)
45
(-5 from 1919)
0.00409
1919949
(-31 from 1918)
50
(-2 from 1918)
0.00492
1918918
(-9 from 1917)
52
(+3 from 1917)
0.00496
1917909
(-69 from 1916)
49
(-6 from 1916)
0.00511
1916840
(+122 from 1915)
55
(+13 from 1915)
0.00596
1915962
(+226 from 1914)
42
(+18 from 1914)
0.00477
19141188
(-165 from 1913)
24
No change from 1913
0.00351
19131023
(+36 from 1912)
24
(+5 from 1912)
0.00448
19121059
(-21 from 1911)
19
(+8 from 1911)
0.00421
19111038
(+155 from 1910)
11
(+3 from 1910)
0.00456
19101193
(-300 from 1909)
8
(-3 from 1909)
0.00384
1909893
(-68 from 1908)
11
No change from 1908
0.00622
1908825
(+375 from 1907)
11
(+5 from 1907)
0.00661
19071200
(+53 from 1906)
6
(+1 from 1906)
0.00378
19061253
(-162 from 1905)
5
(-1 from 1905)
0.00347
19051091
(-281 from 1904)
6
(-3 from 1904)
0.00419
1904810
(-66 from 1902)
9
(-1 from 1902)
0.00650
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1902744
(+35 from 1901)
10
(+2 from 1901)
0.00753
1901779
(+123 from 1900)
8
(-1 from 1900)
0.00692
1900902
(+149 from 1899)
9
(+4 from 1899)
0.00555
18991051
(-247 from 1898)
5
(-3 from 1898)
0.00434
1898804
(+253 from 1897)
8
(+3 from 1897)
0.00606
18971057
(-231 from 1896)
5
(-3 from 1896)
0.00410
1896826
(+152 from 1895)
8
(+2 from 1895)
0.00620
1895978
(-310 from 1894)
6
(-4 from 1894)
0.00474
1894668
(-130 from 1893)
10
(-3 from 1893)
0.00801
1893538
(+323 from 1892)
13
(+6 from 1892)
0.01074
1892861
(+102 from 1891)
7
(+2 from 1891)
0.00533
1891963
(+11 from 1889)
5
No change from 1889
0.00458
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1889974
(-270 from 1888)
5
(-4 from 1888)
0.00420
1888704
(-91 from 1884)
9
(-1 from 1884)
0.00693
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1884613
(+253 from 1881)
10
(+5 from 1881)
0.00815
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1881866
(+43 from 1880)
5
No change from 1880
0.00462
1880909
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00422

American States Popularity Rankings for Hudson

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#592021#592022#542023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#772021#802022#792023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#522021#462022#522023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#202021#122022#72023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#212021#232022#202023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#122021#102022#82023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#82021#82022#102023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#742021#682022#562023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#262021#162022#162023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#122021#72022#72023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#112021#92022#72023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#262021#232022#242023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#312021#222022#262023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#502021#352022#362023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#152021#92022#112023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#72021#62022#72023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#432021#362022#352023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#112021#122022#82023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#162021#142022#142023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#422021#402022#352023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#342021#282022#212023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#122021#92022#112023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#82021#102022#82023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#162021#142022#112023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#162021#92022#82023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#142021#122022#102023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#72021#62022#72023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#572021#572022#602023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#82021#72022#42023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#262021#232022#92023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#92021#112022#132023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#692021#482022#652023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#142021#172022#72023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#782021#962022#722023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#592021#512022#432023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#42021#22022#32023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#602021#402022#552023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#182021#242022#282023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#62021#52022#22023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#132021#102022#62023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#162021#62022#72023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#412021#162022#42023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#242021#642022#212023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#362021#172022#222023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#102021#52022#222023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#1952021#1952022#1602023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#92021#52022#42023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#832021#932022#442023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#832021#412022#982023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#642021#752022#312023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1272021#1742022#1092023

Popularity Rankings for Hudson in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#152021#112022#72023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#162021#92022#102023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#202021#202022#122023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#832021#532022#482023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#922019#692020#592021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1292021#912022#762023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#2492021#2192022#1432023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#4642020#3772021#3202022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7292013

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Hudson a Name for Boys or Girls?

Hudson is primarily used as a boy’s name. In recent years, Hudson has also started to be used as a unisex name.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Hudson

Hudson in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Kate Hudson (Actress, born 1979): Although not a "Hudson" by birth name, this American actress's prominence in Hollywood makes her a notable mention related to the name.
  • Rock Hudson (Actor, 1925–1985): A prominent American film star known for his leading roles in numerous movies and television shows.
  • Hudson Leick (Actress, born 1969): Best known for her role as the villainous Callisto on "Xena: Warrior Princess."
  • Hudson Yang (Actor, born 2003): Rose to fame as Eddie Huang in the TV sitcom "Fresh Off the Boat."
  • Hudson Rodrigues dos Santos (Footballer, born 1988): Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder in Brazil's national leagues.
  • Hudson Stuck (Missionary and Explorer, 1863–1920): Remembered for being part of the first expedition to successfully climb Denali.
  • Hudson Taylor (Missionary, 1832–1905): A British Protestant Christian missionary to China, founder of the China Inland Mission.
  • Hudson De Souza (Middle-distance Runner, born 1977): A Brazilian athlete known for competing in the 1500 meters at multiple Summer Olympics.
  • Hudson Thames (Actor and Musician, born 1994): Known for his roles in TV and his musical career.
  • Hudson Swafford (Professional Golfer, born 1987): An American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.
  • Hudson Hawk (Film, 1991): Features Bruce Willis as Eddie "Hudson Hawk" Hawkins, a cat burglar involved in adventurous heists.
  • William Hudson ("Aliens," 1986 Film): A memorable character played by Bill Paxton.
  • Jason Hudson ("Call of Duty: Black Ops," 2010 Video Game): A CIA operative featured in this popular video game series.
  • Hudson Street (1995 TV Series): A sitcom set in a New York police station starring Tony Danza.
  • Hudson & Rex (2019 TV Series): A Canadian police procedural drama that pairs a detective with his dog, Rex.
  • The Hudson Brothers (1974 TV Show): A television show spotlighting the real-life Hudson Brothers band.
  • Hudson River (USA): A major river in New York State, named after the explorer Henry Hudson.
  • Hudson Bay (Canada): A large body of saltwater in northeastern Canada, also named after Henry Hudson.
  • Hudson City, New York (USA): A city known for its vibrant arts scene and historic architecture.
  • Hudson City, Wisconsin (USA): A city near the confluence of the St. Croix River and the Mississippi River.
  • Hudson County, New Jersey (USA): A county in the U.S. state of New Jersey, which is part of the New York metropolitan area.

Similar Names to Hudson

Sibling Names for Hudson

Parents Who Like the Name Hudson Also Like

Finally, how do you feel about the name Hudson? I’d love to hear your opinions in the comment section. Like and share this article with others who want to learn more about this name.
Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator