Nelson
Peaked at #136 nationally in 1882, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Nelson has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
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Nelson — Girls (United States)
StablePeak rank
#2357
in 1936
Last ranked
#14653
in 2023
Years tracked
63
1913–2023
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1913, Nelson reached its peak popularity for girls in 1936, ranking #2357 nationally with 13 babies given the name that year.
Nelson hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for girls since 2023, when it stood at #14653.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | #14,653 | 6 |
| 2022 | #17,045 | 5 |
| 2020 | #16,818 | 5 |
| 2019 | #17,290 | 5 |
| 2004 | #15,532 | 6 |
| 1999 | #16,136 | 5 |
| 1995 | #12,879 | 6 |
| 1994 | #10,238 | 8 |
Nelson — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#136
in 1882
Current rank
#778
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Nelson reached its peak popularity for boys in 1882, ranking #136 nationally with 104 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #645 (2014) to #778 (2024) — a 17% drop.
As of 2024, Nelson ranks #778 nationally for boys, with 322 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #778 | 322 |
| 2023 | #797 | 311 |
| 2022 | #799 | 315 |
| 2021 | #722 | 358 |
| 2020 | #670 | 388 |
| 2019 | #655 | 406 |
| 2018 | #672 | 374 |
| 2017 | #631 | 411 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Nelson most popular?
Nelson was most popular in 1882, when it ranked #136 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Nelson becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently stable; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Nelson?
At least 79,829 babies have been recorded with the name Nelson in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Nelson? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.