Hardy Hudson: A classic English name
Hudson could be the perfect fit for your baby. Its steady rise in popularity, combined with its strong and approachable sound, makes it an excellent choice for your child.
Whether you are drawn to its simple pronunciation or enjoy its timeless appeal, Hudson is a name that stands out.
Pronunciation of the name
Pronouncing Hudson is straightforward — it’s typically pronounced as HUHD-sun.
It has two syllables, with the emphasis on the first syllable.
Popularity of the name
You may be curious about the name Hudson’s popularity over time. Hudson has seen a big rise in popularity, especially in recent years.
Hudson wasn’t a very common first name in the early 20th century. It started getting more popular in the late 1990s. Its first recorded use as a first name was in 1880.
It hit its peak in 2015, becoming one of the top baby names in the USA, with over 6,000 newborns named Hudson.
It often makes its way into the top 100 names in the United States and Canada.
Currently, Hudson consistently ranks within the top 100 names on the Social Security Administration’s list. This indicates a strong, ongoing preference for the name among parents.
Celebrities with the name
Hudson is a name shared by many celebrities and historical figures:
- Hudson Leick: Known for her role as Callisto in “Xena: Warrior Princess“
- Hudson Fysh: co-founder of Qantas Airways
- Hudson Yang: Played Eddie Huang in “Fresh Off the Boat“
- Hudson Fasching: Ice hockey player
- Hudson West: Child actress in “General Hospital“
- Hudson Maxim: Chemist and inventor
- Hudson Thames: Actress and singer-songwriter in “Malibu Country“
- Hudson Luthringshausen: Played Young Lily in “The Great Gatsby“
- Hudson Hawk: Starred in the film “Hudson Hawk“
- Hudson Meek: Young Noah in “The Notebook“
- Hudson Mohawke: Music producer with Kanye West and Drake.
- Hudson Lowe: Napoleon Bonaparte’s jailer
- Hudson Stuck: Co-led first ascent of Denali
- Hudson Swafford: Professional golfer
- Hudson Rodrigues dos Santos: Brazilian footballer
Nicknames and variations
Hudson allows for numerous nicknames and variations, including:
- Huey: Emphasizes Hudson’s sweet nature.
- Huddy: Affectionate diminutive.
- Hud: Short and simple.
- Huds: Playful and endearing.
- Sonny: Reflects the ‘son’ in Hudson.
Origin of the name
Hudson’s roots go back to Anglo-Saxon times, originating from “Hudd”, which is a nickname for Hugh or Richard. The “-son” at the end was a popular way to make surnames in 14th century northern England. The literal meaning of Hudson is “son of Hugh”.
The first mention of Hudson in records was in Yorkshire, England around 1323, with a John Hudsone or Hutson. By 1379, names like Johannes Hudson and Adam Huddeson popped up in Yorkshire’s tax rolls.
The name even traveled up to Scotland. The earliest Scottish mention was a James Hudson in 1466. By 1567, there were Hudsons around Kelso Abbey. This shows Hudson’s deep ties to English and Scottish history, evolving from a nickname to a family name with a rich heritage.
Similar names
For those exploring names like Hudson, consider these options:
- Holden: English, means “deep valley”
- Archer: English, “bowman” or “archer”
- Griffin: Celtic/English, “strong lord” or “mythical beast”
- Harper: English, “harp player,” associated with Harper Lee
- Saylor: Maritime-inspired, “one who navigates the sea”
- Ellis: Welsh, “benevolent”, unisex
- Reese: Welsh, “enthusiastic”, gender-neutral
- Sawyer: English, “woodcutter”, unisex
- Charlie: Short for Charlotte or Charles, a popular unisex choice
