Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Mason is derived from the Old French word for a stone worker, reflecting a profession of building. It evolved through Middle English into its modern form. The name symbolizes strength and craftsmanship. It has no biblical significance. Its popularity surged in the late 20th century, and today it is viewed positively as a contemporary name.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmeɪsən/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Mason originates from the Old French word 'maçon', which means 'stone worker' or 'builder'. It was used as a surname before becoming popular as a given name.
Meaning
stone worker, builder
Language Evolution
Old French: maçon, Middle English: mason, Modern English: Mason
Historical Usage
The name Mason gained popularity as a given name in the United States during the late 20th century, becoming more common in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Variants & Derivatives
Mace, Mayson, Macen
Modern Popularity & Image
Mason is currently perceived as a strong and modern name, often associated with craftsmanship and reliability. It remains a popular choice for boys in various English-speaking countries.
Famous People
Mason Adams (actor), Mason Mount (footballer), Mason Disick (television personality)
📊 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 19,617 peak births in 2011
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (17 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 17 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 | 538th of 7545 | 2,073 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 674th of 6773 | 1,547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 790th of 7552 | 1,655 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 577th of 10718 | 3,143 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 200th of 16616 | 23,706 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 39th of 24088 | 158,254 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 8th of 23106 | 145,474 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6442nd of 9107 | 23 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 16521st of 19264 | 10 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 3722nd of 27321 | 418 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1624th of 35406 | 1,985 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2505th of 30306 | 861 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
45.55% 645th/1416 |
45.98% 634th/1379 |
19.78% 468th/2366 |
81.87% 935th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
58.47% 904th/1546 |
50.51% 786th/1556 |
26.14% 615th/2353 |
59.41% 919th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
45.04% 1003rd/2227 |
35.14% 854th/2430 |
27.16% 775th/2853 |
33.95% 942nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
18.15% 533rd/2937 |
23.83% 830th/3483 |
17.57% 618th/3518 |
12.31% 498th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
4.34% 160th/3685 |
6.53% 292nd/4475 |
3.33% 173rd/5194 |
3.47% 219th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.61% 28th/4582 |
0.97% 50th/5164 |
0.56% 41st/7313 |
0.66% 49th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
0.25% 10th/3984 |
0.20% 9th/4487 |
0.09% 6th/6822 |
0.32% 20th/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) |
72.18% 2660th/3685 |
- |
47.67% 2476th/5194 |
90.11% 5692nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
38.21% 1751st/4582 |
43.94% 2269th/5164 |
18.97% 1387th/7313 |
29.45% 2198th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
78.26% 3118th/3984 |
74.95% 3363rd/4487 |
36.56% 2494th/6822 |
43.80% 2749th/6276 |
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 Nevada across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast 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, stalled for female in MidWest, too rising for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too rising for male in South, stalled for female in South, too rising for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 538th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 674th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 790th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 577th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 200th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 39th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 8th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6442nd out of 9107 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 16521st out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3722nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1624th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2505th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.