Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Harrison is an English name derived from the medieval diminutive 'Harry', meaning 'son of Harry'. It evolved from historical forms such as Harry and Henry. The name is often associated with strength and tradition. There is no direct biblical relevance. Its popularity surged in the 19th century, and it remains a well-regarded name today, linked to several famous individuals.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈhɛrɪsən/
Origin
English
Etymology
Harrison is derived from the medieval given name 'Harry', which itself is a diminutive of 'Henry'. The suffix '-son' means 'son of', so Harrison essentially means 'son of Harry'.
Meaning
son of Harry
Language Evolution
Harry, Henry, Harrison
Historical Usage
Harrison became popular as a surname in England during the Middle Ages and later transitioned into a given name. It gained significant popularity in the 19th century, particularly in the United States.
Variants & Derivatives
Harris, Harry, Hare
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Harrison is often perceived as a classic and strong name, frequently associated with notable figures and has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years.
Famous People
William Henry Harrison, Harrison Ford, Harrison Birtwistle
📊 Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 3,670 peak births in 2016
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (3 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 3 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 296th of 7545 | 5,660 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 396th of 6773 | 3,866 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 540th of 7552 | 3,741 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 772nd of 10718 | 1,797 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 313th of 16616 | 11,968 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 208th of 24088 | 28,303 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 122nd of 23106 | 38,420 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7989th of 9107 | 10 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 9204th of 9204 | 5 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 15863rd of 19264 | 11 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 14820th of 27321 | 41 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 11595th of 35406 | 125 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 9716th of 30306 | 124 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
22.60% 320th/1416 |
20.67% 285th/1379 |
10.78% 255th/2366 |
38.18% 436th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
30.34% 469th/1546 |
22.43% 349th/1556 |
13.73% 323rd/2353 |
35.16% 544th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
28.38% 632nd/2227 |
21.85% 531st/2430 |
16.51% 471st/2853 |
17.73% 492nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
32.18% 945th/2937 |
21.50% 749th/3483 |
22.54% 793rd/3518 |
18.64% 754th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
9.47% 349th/3685 |
5.65% 253rd/4475 |
5.89% 306th/5194 |
5.40% 341st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
4.65% 213th/4582 |
2.90% 150th/5164 |
2.58% 189th/7313 |
3.51% 262nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
2.31% 92nd/3984 |
2.50% 112th/4487 |
1.96% 134th/6822 |
2.53% 159th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
94.65% 6922nd/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Utah across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been consistently rising. From 2020-2022, usage has been too rising for male in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 296th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 396th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 540th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 772nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 313th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 208th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 122nd out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 7989th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 9204th out of 9204 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 15863rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 14820th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 11595th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 9716th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
