Given name & surname
Karson
“from the swamp”·“a free man”·“the son of a marsh dweller”
Karson is a variant of Karsen. In American use, Karsen carries the interpretation “from the swamp.” Karson is a variant of Karl. One German interpretation is “a free man.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Karson is a variant of Karsen. In American use, Karsen carries the interpretation “from the swamp.” Karson is a variant of Karl. One German interpretation is “a free man.” In English use, Karson has an alternative spelling in Carson. Interpretations include “from the swamp” (Scottish) and “the son of a marsh dweller” (Scottish). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Karson is a variant of Karl. An origin associated with Karl is German. In English use, Karson has an alternative spelling in Carson. A possible origin is Scottish, although the derivation remains uncertain.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1966. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Karson through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 23,500
- 21,394 boys · 2,106 girls
- Most popular year
- 2018
- 1,413 babies
- 2025
- 732
- #453 for boys · #3,612 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −28%
- Easing
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 95% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 690 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 453 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 27.8% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 1,345 in 2018. It also appeared in 42 birth records for girls in 2025. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (57). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 15,154 as a first name in 2020; 534 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Karson’s family of names
Karson has a related form in Karl. Karson has a related form in Karsen. In English usage, Karson has an alternative spelling in Carson.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 4
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
People named Karson
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Karson, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Kashton
Kashton is a masculine given name.
99% boys · 1% girls
Kayson
“a seer”
99% boys · 1% girls
Karter
“a transporter of merchandise” · “one who transports goods; one who drives a cart”
86% boys · 14% girls
Kolson
>99% boys
Daxton
“from the French town Dax”
>99% boys
Canyon
“from the footpath” · “from the deep ravine”
92% boys · 8% girls
Kamden
“from the winding valley”
96% boys · 4% girls
Kaysen
“a seer”
97% boys · 3% girls