Hudson
Male nameEnglish
✨ Meaning
Hudson is an English surname meaning 'son of Hudde,' Hudde being a medieval pet form of Hugh, which comes from a Germanic word meaning heart, mind or spirit. So although the name is now firmly attached to a river, its literal sense is 'son of the thoughtful one.' The river association came later, through the navigator Henry Hudson, and has since overtaken the etymology in most people's minds.
🌍 Origin
The Hudson River and Hudson Bay are both named after Henry Hudson, the English explorer who charted them in the early seventeenth century. The surname became a given name in the United States in the 1990s and rose quickly, part of the broad American fashion for surname names ending in -son. It is now well established in Australia and Canada as well.
📈 Popularity Trend
⭐ Famous People Named Hudson
- Hudson Taylor
- Hudson Swafford
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hudson mean?
Hudson means 'son of Hudde,' a medieval pet form of Hugh, which comes from a Germanic word for heart, mind or spirit.
Is Hudson named after the river?
The river is named after the explorer Henry Hudson, and modern parents often choose the name for the river association rather than the etymology.
Is Hudson a first name or a surname?
It began as an English surname and became a widely used American first name from the 1990s onward.