What origin is the name Nelson?

Nelson comes from irish naming traditions. Names from this origin often carry meanings tied to nature, virtues or heritage.

Is Nelson a popular name?

Nelson is very rare in official US birth records — fewer than 5 babies of this gender were given the name in any year we checked.

What are good sister names for Nelson?

Names from the same irish tradition pair naturally with Nelson — for example Riley, Nora, Keira. You can browse more on our irish names page.

Nelson

Q: Is Nelson a rare name?

Yes. Nelson does not appear in US Social Security birth records, which list every name given to at least 5 babies, so it is rare in the US.

Discover the meaning and origin of the name Nelson

Nelson

Boy

irish

2 syllables

Nelson is an irish boy's name meaning "Son of neil; son of neal; son of the champion. famous bearer: south african president nelson mandela (born 1918)".

With irish roots, Nelson is a boy name that means "Son of neil; son of neal; son of the champion. famous bearer: south african president nelson mandela (born 1918)". It has 2 syllables.

Origin: irish
Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2

Meaning compiled from public name lists.

Meaning

Son of neil; son of neal; son of the champion. famous bearer: south african president nelson mandela (born 1918)

Popularity

Very rare in US records (source: US Social Security Administration birth records (best rank 2008–2017))

Quick answers about Nelson

Very rare in US records

What does Nelson mean?

Nelson is a boy name of irish origin meaning "Son of neil; son of neal; son of the champion. famous bearer: south african president nelson mandela (born 1918)".

Is Nelson a rare name?

Yes. Nelson does not appear in official US birth records for 2017, meaning fewer than 5 babies got the name that year.

Sister names that go with Nelson

Riley Nora Keira Erin Fiona Ciara

Combine Nelson with another name

Our free name combiner blends two names into new baby name ideas.

Names with a similar meaning to Nelson

Nelson means "Son of neil; son of neal; son of the champion. famous bearer: south african president nelson mandela (born 1918)" — these names share that spirit.