Boy
Orson
bear cub
About Orson
Distinguished yet approachable, Orson combines literary gravitas with unexpected warmth. This name evokes images of intelligence and creativity, partly due to famous bearers who embodied these qualities, yet it remains delightfully uncommon in today's naming landscape. Orson offers parents something genuinely different without venturing into difficult territory—it's easy to spell, pronounce, and remember. The name has a solid, grounded feeling that suggests reliability and depth, making it particularly appealing for families who value substance over flash. Its vintage charm positions it perfectly within current trends favoring retro revivals, yet Orson never experienced mass popularity, preserving its fresh appeal. The 'Or-' beginning gives it a distinctive sound, while the '-son' ending provides familiar territory. Orson works across various contexts and ages, sounding equally appropriate for a toddler artist and an accomplished adult. For parents seeking a name with character, intelligence, and individuality, Orson delivers completely.
Popularity of the Name Orson
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #788 | |||
| 1881 | #759 | |||
| 1882 | #684 | |||
| 1883 | #549 | |||
| 1884 | #942 | |||
| 1885 | #909 | |||
| 1887 | #892 | |||
| 1888 | #893 | |||
| 1892 | #931 | |||
| 1895 | #954 | |||
| 1896 | #876 | |||
| 1898 | #965 | |||
| 1901 | #919 | |||
| 2009 | #899 | |||
| 2010 | #803 | |||
| 2011 | #844 | |||
| 2012 | #637 | |||
| 2013 | #745 | |||
| 2014 | #626 | |||
| 2015 | #515 | |||
| 2016 | #664 | |||
| 2017 | #537 | #852 | ||
| 2018 | #586 | |||
| 2019 | #511 | |||
| 2020 | #443 | |||
| 2021 | #398 | #585 | ||
| 2022 | #443 | |||
| 2023 | #406 | #875 | ||
| 2024 | #406 | #915 | ||
| 2025 | #409 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Orson
Names Similar to Orson
Nicknames for Orson
- Orsy
- Ors
- Son
- Sonny
Famous People Named Orson
| Orson Welles | American filmmaker, actor, and theatre director |
| Orson Scott Card | American author known for "Ender's Game" |
| Orson Bean | American actor and comedian |
| Orson Pratt | American religious leader and mathematician |
| Orson Charles | American football player |
| Orson Hyde | American religious leader and politician |
| Orson Swindle | American Vietnam War veteran and government official |
| Orson Lyon | American pioneer and politician |
| Orson Porter | American politician and judge |
| Orson Squire Fowler | American phrenologist and lecturer |
| Orson Adams | American inventor and businessman |
| Orson Desaix Munn | American publisher and co-founder of Scientific American magazine |
| Orson Johnson | American basketball player |
| Orson L. Crandall | American Medal of Honor recipient |
| Orson G. Dewey | American Medal of Honor recipient |
| Orson Bennett | American politician |
| Orson W. Bennett | American judge and politician |
| Orson Wright | American politician |
| Orson A. H. Pratt | American religious leader |
| Orson L. Clark | American politician and judge |
Characters Named Orson
| Orson Pig | A character from the cartoon "Garfield and Friends" |
| Orson Hodge | A character from the TV series "Desperate Housewives" |
| Orson Krennic | A character from the "Star Wars" franchise |
| Orson Handel | A character from the TV series "Ugly Betty" |
| Orson Welle | A character from the TV series "Nashville" |
| Orson LaRue | A character from the novel "Crooked House" by Agatha Christie |
| Orson Prine | A character from the novel "The Winter of Our Discontent" by John Steinbeck |
| Orson Purefoy | A character from the novel "Far from the Madding Crowd" by Thomas Hardy |
| Orson Shaw | A character from the video game "Titanfall 2" |
| Orson Dumas | A character from the TV series "The Riches" |
| Orson Henthorne | A character from the TV series "Leverage" |
| Orson Pickett | A character from the novel "The Lacuna" by Barbara Kingsolver |
| Orson Nava | A character from the TV series "The Finder" |
| Orson Kingsley | A character from the TV series "Medium" |
| Orson Hissrich | A character from the TV series "The Good Wife" |
| Orson Swindlehurst | A character from the TV series "In the Flesh" |
| Orson Stedman | A character from the novel "The Minister's Charge" by William Dean Howells |
| Orson McGuire | A character from the TV series "Brothers & Sisters" |
| Orson Archer | A character from the TV series "Royal Pains" |
| Orson Chappel | A character from the TV series "My So-Called Life" |