Hudson

At a Glance

Meaning

Patronymic surname, 'son of Hud/Hudde' (a medieval pet form of Hugh), later used as a given name

Origin

English (surname)

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

HUD-suhnListen

Hudson (pronounced HUD-suhn) is an English name that began life as a surname — a patronymic meaning 'son of Hud' or 'Hudde,' a medieval nickname for Hugh — before it was adopted as a first name for boys. That surname-to-given-name path gives it the settled, vintage feel it's known for today. If you're drawn to names with roots in everyday English family naming rather than an invented meaning, Hudson fits that mold.

Meaning & Origin of Hudson

Meaning: Patronymic surname, 'son of Hud/Hudde' (a medieval pet form of Hugh), later used as a given name.

Origin: English (surname).

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Hudson

Popularity of Hudson

Hudson peaked at #21 on the SSA boy name chart in 2023, with 7,951 babies given the name that year. In 2024 it held nearly steady at #22, with the count actually ticking up slightly to 7,990.

Names Like Hudson

These names share Hudson’s style, era or origin.

• Alden
• Alfred
• Allen
• Alvin
• Archie
• Brooks

FAQ

What does the name Hudson mean?

Patronymic surname, ‘son of Hud/Hudde’ (a medieval pet form of Hugh), later used as a given name. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Hudson?

Hudson is pronounced HUD-suhn (IPA: /ˈhʌdsən/).

Is Hudson a popular name right now?

Hudson is near its all-time peak (#21 in 2023), ranked #22 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Hudson Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Hudson, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.