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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Son of Walter (or 'son of Water', the medieval pronunciation)
- Origin
- English, Scottish
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- WAHT-sun
Watson is a boy's name with English and Scottish roots, traditionally understood to mean 'son of Walter' — or, in its medieval pronunciation, 'son of Water.' It's pronounced WAHT-sun, and its bold, surname-style feel fits parents looking for a modern option with a clear historical thread.
Meaning & Origin of Watson
Meaning: Son of Walter (or 'son of Water', the medieval pronunciation).
Origin: English, Scottish.
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Watson
WAHT-sunIPA /ˈwɑːtsən/
Popularity of Watson
Watson has been recorded in Social Security data since 1880, reaching its highest-ever rank of #397 back in 1882, when 21 boys were given the name; by 2024 it ranked #864, but with a much larger count of 278 boys.
Names Like Watson
These names share Watson’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Watson mean?
Son of Walter (or ‘son of Water’, the medieval pronunciation). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Watson?
Watson is pronounced WAHT-sun (IPA: /ˈwɑːtsən/).
Is Watson a popular name right now?
Watson peaked at #397 in 1882 and is ranked #864 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Watson Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Watson, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Watson? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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