Hudson
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Son of Hudde; son of Hugh
Origin: English surname — from the medieval name Hudde (a pet form of Hugh) + son
Popularity: Ranked #17 in 2025 with 8,583 babies born.
History: Hudson is an English surname made famous by Henry Hudson, the 17th-century English explorer who mapped the river and bay that now bear his name in New York and Canada. The name sat quietly as a surname for centuries before exploding onto the first-name scene in the 2000s, entering the U.S. top 50 by 2012. It carries the rugged explorer spirit of the American frontier alongside a modern, surname-cool energy. Kate Hudson gave the name additional pop-culture visibility, and it remains one of the defining boys' names of its generation.
Famous people named Hudson: Hudson Hawk (Bruce Willis film), Hudson River
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Hudson? About 1 in 384 babies born in 2025 were named Hudson, or roughly 23.7 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Hudson
What does the name Hudson mean?
Hudson means “Son of Hudde; son of Hugh” from English surname — from the medieval name Hudde (a pet form of Hugh) + son roots.
What is the origin of the name Hudson?
Hudson has English surname — from the medieval name Hudde (a pet form of Hugh) + son origin. The traditional meaning is “Son of Hudde; son of Hugh”.
How popular is Hudson?
Hudson ranked #17 in 2025 — given to 8,583 babies that year.
When was Hudson most popular?
Hudson peaked in 2025 with 8,583 babies registered that year.
Is Hudson a boy or girl name?
Hudson is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Hudsons in registered births are male.
Is the name Hudson rising or falling in popularity?
Hudson has risen 1872 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #1889 in 2020 to #17 in 2025.
How long has Hudson been recorded?
Hudson appears in birth records across 139 years — from 1880 through 2025.