Hudson is an English name meaning "son of Hudd." Originally a last name, Hudson has only recently caught on as a first name in the United States in the last 30 to 40 years. Hudd or Hudde was a name given to someone who made hoods. It was also a common nickname for Hugh, an Old German name that means "mind" or "spirit."
Well-known folks with the last name Hudson include actresses Kate Hudson and Jennifer Hudson. Hudson is also a name with historical significance. European explorer Henry Hudson sailed the Hudson Bay in Canada and the Hudson River in New York – both bodies of water are now named after him.
Full of adventure, Hudson is a fun name with outdoorsy vibes that's simple to spell and say. This two-syllable name is pronounced "HUD-suhn," and nicknames include Hud and Huddy. The most common spelling of this name is Hudson, though you may occasionally see it spelled as Hudsyn or Hudsen.
Hudson is one of several last-name-turned-first-name options to gain popularity in recent years. Similar names include Carson, Colton, Holden, Grayson, and Collins. Hudson is traditionally considered a masculine name, but like Carson and Grayson, it falls pretty seamlessly into the gender-neutral category.
Hudson first appeared on the Social Security Administration's list of popular names for boys in the early 1900s. It fell off for many years – until 1995, when it reemerged in the top 1,000 names. The name took off after that, breaking into the top 100 in 2015. It's continued to rise, finding a place in the top 50 names in 2020.
BabyCenter parents also love the name, keeping it hovering around the top-50 spot since 2019. (BabyCenter's ranking is based on data from hundreds of thousands of parents who share their baby's name with us.)
Hudson is an adventurous name with a wild streak perfect for a little explorer. With its trendy appeal and historical significance, Hudson will likely continue to make an appearance on the popularity charts.
