How Many People Are Named Orson?

Complete statistics for the name Orson: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Orson
Very Rare
Old French

Orson means 'bear cub' and has a very rare charm, with only 1,838 people bearing this name in the US, making up just 1 in 179,560 Americans. That's pretty unique! It's also on the rise, peaking in 2023 with 132 births.

~278
Living in US
1 in 1,192,264
Americans
2023
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
Bear cub
🌐
Origin
Old French
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 9
Personality Traits
Determined Adventurous
9
Life Path Number

Life-path number 9 symbolizes compassion, empathy, and a deep connection to humanity.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

1,838
Worldwide Bearers
#129,392
Global Rank
🇮🇩 Indonesia
51
🇮🇳 India
47
🇿🇦 South Africa
29
🇳🇱 Netherlands
24
🇨🇳 China
23
🇨🇱 Chile
21
🇦🇺 Australia
20
🇳🇬 Nigeria
16
🇩🇪 Germany
10
🇫🇷 France
9

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
1,838 (100%)
♀ Female
0 (0%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 45
1,325
Would be under 30 (51%)
319
Would be 30–60 (12%)
942
Would be over 60 (36%)

All 2,586 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 2023

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Rising

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
93
Classic Feel
28
Modern Appeal
92
International
5

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Orson Through the Generations

Orson has seen a steady growth in popularity, especially among younger generations, with 51% of those named being under 30. This modern twist makes it stand out, as it's not just a name from the past. The average age of an Orson is 45, indicating a mix of older individuals who've carried the name for decades and a new wave of younger Orsons entering the scene. With 1,838 living Orsons in the US and 3,103 worldwide, it's clear that while Orson remains rare, it's gaining traction.

📍 State Distribution (Top 10)

California 136
New York 118
Utah 99
Texas 65
Washington 33
Florida 30
Colorado 17
Ohio 15
Minnesota 12
Wisconsin 12

⭐ Famous People Named Orson

Orson is a masculine given name derived from the Old French word for "bear cub".…

Full list on Wikipedia →

✨ Similar Names to Orson

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Orson's Old French roots

📄 About the Name Orson

How Many People Have the Name Orson?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 278 people in the United States currently share the name Orson. That works out to roughly 1 in every 1,192,264 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.

Is Orson a Common or Rare Name?

Orson is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Orson Mean?

Orson means "bear cub" and comes from Old French origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 9.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Orson in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.

When Was Orson Most Popular?

The name Orson reached peak popularity in 2023, with 132 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Orson?

Approximately 278 people named Orson live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 278. That works out to roughly 1 in 1,192,264 Americans.

Is Orson a rare name?

Orson is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 1,192,264 Americans has this name.

What does the name Orson mean?

Orson means "bear cub" and comes from Old French origins.

Is Orson more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Orson are male and 0% are female.

When was Orson most popular?

Orson peaked in 2023 with 132 births that year. Current trend: Rising.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US278
All-Time Births278
1 in X1 in 1,192,264
RarityVery Rare
GenderMale
Avg Age45
Peak Year2023
World Rank#129,392
Male %100%
Female %0%

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Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.