Given name & surname · also Norman French
Orson
“bear-cub”·“resembling a bear; raised by a bear”
Orson is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “bear-cub” (Norman French) and “resembling a bear; raised by a bear” (Latin). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “bear-cub” (Norman French) and “resembling a bear; raised by a bear” (Latin). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
A possible origin is Norman French, although the derivation remains uncertain.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Orson through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 2,714
- 2,714 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2023
- 132 babies
- 2025
- 126
- #1,433 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +39%
- Rising
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 126 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,433 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 38.9% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (11). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 1,398 as a first name in 2020; 278 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.
Orson’s family of names
Orson has a related form in Orsen. Orson has a related form in Orsin. Orson has a related form in Orsinea.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 12
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
- Orsenvariant
- Orssonlikely variant
- Orsineavariant
- Orsineevariant
- Orsineyvariant
- Orsinyvariant
- Orsinievariant
- Orsoniovariant
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People named Orson
- Orson Scott CardAmerican science fiction novelist (born 1951)
- Orson BeanAmerican actor (1928–2020)
- Orson PrattApostle of the LDS Church (1811–1881)
- Orson HydeAmerican Mormon leader (1805-1878)
- Orson K. Miller Jr.American botanist (1930-2006)
- Orson Squire FowlerAmerican phrenologist and lecturer (1809–1887)
- Orson CharlesCollege football playerborn 1991
Characters named Orson: Orson Hodge (fictional character on Desperate Housewives).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
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