Carlson: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–
1920s	41	4	–	#2,800
1930s	23	2	-44%	#2,664
1940s	64	6	+178%	#2,297
1950s	72	7	+12%	#2,314
1960s	53	5	-26%	#2,330
1970s	47	5	-11%	#2,563
1980s	54	5	+15%	#4,194
1990s	92	9	+70%	#4,443
2000s	117	12	+27%	#4,816
2010s	133	13	+14%	#4,977
2020s (to 2025)	51	9	-36%	#6,244

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

1920s

–

#2,800

1930s

-44%

#2,664

1940s

+178%

#2,297

1950s

+12%

#2,314

1960s

-26%

#2,330

1970s

-11%

#2,563

1980s

+15%

#4,194

1990s

+70%

#4,443

2000s

117

+27%

#4,816

2010s

133

+14%

#4,977

2020s (to 2025)

-36%

#6,244

The story of Carlson

Carlson is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #12,360 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1920, 747 American babies have been named Carlson. Its peak came in 2016, when 19 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2010s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Carlson stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Carlson?

The median living Carlson is about 27 years old; half are between 13 and 52. An estimated 600 people named Carlson are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Carlson year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	5	#12,360
2024	14	#6,244
2023	12	#6,968
2022	–	–
2021	12	#6,772
2020	8	#8,877
2019	13	#6,473
2018	11	#7,209
2017	18	#5,138
2016	19	#4,977
2015	17	#5,335
2014	15	#5,771
2013	10	#7,621
2012	9	#8,263
2011	12	#6,653
2010	9	#8,250
2009	8	#9,114
2008	11	#7,280
2007	9	#8,286
2006	14	#5,828
2005	12	#6,286
2004	13	#5,859
2003	10	#6,803
2002	13	#5,441
2001	12	#5,726
2000	15	#4,816
1995	11	#5,176
1990	10	#5,040
1985	5	#6,670
1980	–	–
1975	6	#4,874
1970	7	#3,899
1965	5	#3,986
1960	13	#2,330
1955	7	#3,236
1950	–	–
1945	5	#3,391
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	10	#2,800
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Carlson, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Carlson?

The median living Carlson is about 27 years old. Half of all living Carlsons are between 13 and 52 years old.

How many people named Carlson are alive today?

An estimated 600 people named Carlson are alive in the United States, based on 747 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Carlson mean?

Carlson is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Carl"; it is rarely used as a given name and there are variations to its spelling.

How popular is the name Carlson in 2025?

Carlson ranked #12,360 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Carlson?

747 babies have been named Carlson in the United States since 1920, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Carlson most popular?

Carlson peaked in 2016, when 19 newborns received the name.

Is Carlson a boy or girl name?

Carlson is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Carlson rising or falling?

Carlson is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Carlson

Carlson popularity over time

The story of Carlson

How old are people named Carlson?

Carlson year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Carlson