How Many People Are Named Peterson?
Complete statistics for the name Peterson: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Peterson is a rare name with deep roots in English surnames, now worn by just 765 people in the US, or 1 in 431,520 Americans. It's a genuinely modern choice, with 43% of bearers under 30.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 4 symbolizes stability and practicality.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 33All 810 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: 1989Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Peterson Through the Generations
Peterson peaked in popularity in 1989 with 28 births, marking a high point in its usage. Today, it's considered very rare, with most of its bearers falling between the ages of 30 and 60. The name's slow decline reflects its status as a newer-generation name, with a significant portion of its current holders being younger individuals.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Peterson's English surname used as a first name roots
📄 About the Name Peterson
How Many People Have the Name Peterson?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 265,150 people in the United States currently share the name Peterson. That works out to roughly 1 in every 1,250 Americans, placing it in the Uncommon category.
Is Peterson a Common or Rare Name?
Peterson is classified as Uncommon. 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 Peterson Mean?
Peterson means "English occupational surname (one who rides)" and comes from English surname used as a first name origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 4.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Peterson in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Peterson Most Popular?
The name Peterson reached peak popularity in 1989, with 28 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
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 Peterson?
Approximately 265,150 people named Peterson live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 265,150. That works out to roughly 1 in 1,250 Americans.
Is Peterson a rare name?
Peterson is classified as Uncommon in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 1,250 Americans has this name.
What does the name Peterson mean?
Peterson means "English occupational surname (one who rides)" and comes from English surname used as a first name origins.
Is Peterson more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Peterson are male and 0% are female.
When was Peterson most popular?
Peterson peaked in 1989 with 28 births that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
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.