Hudson: Meaning, Origin & Everything You Need to Know
Hudson is an English surname meaning 'son of Hudde', where Hudde was a pet form of Hugh.
At a Glance
- Pronunciation
- HUD-sunˈhʌd.sən
- Origin
- English
- Meaning
- Hudson is an English surname meaning 'son of Hudde', where Hudde was a pet form of Hugh.
- Gender
- Boy's name
- Syllables
- 2
- Nicknames
- Hud, Huddy
- US Popularity (2025)
- #17 — 📈 Rising
What Does Hudson Mean?
Hudson began as a medieval English surname meaning 'son of Hudde', a pet form of Hugh and other names beginning with Hug-. As a first name it spread through the place names and landmarks it gave its name to: the Hudson River in New York, Hudson Bay in Canada and the Hudson Valley, all of which were named after the English navigator Henry Hudson, who explored them in 1609 and 1610.
It has been one of the quicker risers of the last decade. Hudson was #65 in 2015, #43 in 2020 and #17 in 2025, with the best rank and largest share of births in the data shown.
Other notable Hudsons include Hudson Taylor, a British missionary to China in the nineteenth century, and Rock Hudson, the Hollywood actor, though the second is a surname rather than a first name.
How Popular Is Hudson?
Hudson rose from #65 in 2015 to #27 in 2022 and #17 in 2025, the best rank in the data shown.
Source: US Social Security Administration (SSA) baby name data, ssa.gov/oact/babynames, 2025.
Middle Names That Go with Hudson
Classic pairings
- Hudson James
- Hudson William
- Hudson Alexander
- Hudson Henry
Modern pairings
- Hudson Atlas
- Hudson Wilder
- Hudson Beckett
- Hudson Jasper
One-syllable options
- Hudson Reid
- Hudson Cole
- Hudson Grant
- Hudson Blake
Family-name bridges
- Hudson John
- Hudson David
- Hudson Thomas
- Hudson Joseph
Names Similar to Hudson
If you love Hudson, you might also like these names with a similar feel, origin, or sound.
Sibling Names That Go with Hudson
💙 Brother names
💗 Sister names
Famous People Named Hudson
- Henry HudsonEnglish explorer for whom the Hudson River and Hudson Bay are named.
- Hudson TaylorBritish Christian missionary who founded the China Inland Mission in 1865.
- Rock HudsonAmerican film star of the 1950s and 1960s, using Hudson as a surname.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hudson
Is Hudson a boy or girl name?
Hudson is primarily a boy's name. It is very rarely used for girls.
How do you pronounce Hudson?
Hudson is pronounced HUD-sun (IPA: ˈhʌd.sən). It has 2 syllables. Common nicknames include Hud, Huddy.
Is Hudson an English name?
Hudson is of English origin. Hudson is an English surname meaning 'son of Hudde', where Hudde was a pet form of Hugh.
What does Hudson mean?
Hudson is an English surname meaning 'son of Hudde', where Hudde was a pet form of Hugh.
Hudson began as a medieval English surname meaning 'son of Hudde', a pet form of Hugh and other names beginning with Hug-. As a first name it spread through the place names and landmarks it gave its name to: the Hudson River in New York, Hudson Bay in Canada and the Hudson Valley, all of which were named after the English navigator Henry Hudson, who explored them in 1609 and 1610.
Is Hudson a popular name in 2026?
Yes, Hudson is a highly popular name. It ranked #17 in the United States in 2025 according to the Social Security Administration. The name is currently trending upward. Hudson rose from #65 in 2015 to #27 in 2022 and #17 in 2025, the best rank in the data shown.
What are good middle names for Hudson?
Good middle names for Hudson include classic choices like Hudson James and Hudson William, modern options like Hudson Atlas and Hudson Wilder, and crisp one-syllable pairings like Hudson Reid and Hudson Cole. The best middle name depends on your surname and personal style.
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