Peterson: 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	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–
1950s	37	4	–	#3,210
1960s	50	5	+35%	#2,624
1970s	69	7	+38%	#2,757
1980s	178	18	+158%	#2,323
1990s	175	18	-2%	#3,119
2000s	143	14	-18%	#3,505
2010s	114	11	-20%	#6,168
2020s (to 2025)	53	9	-23%	#7,619

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

1920s

–

1930s

–

1940s

–

1950s

–

#3,210

1960s

+35%

#2,624

1970s

+38%

#2,757

1980s

178

+158%

#2,323

1990s

175

-2%

#3,119

2000s

143

-18%

#3,505

2010s

114

-20%

#6,168

2020s (to 2025)

-23%

#7,619

The story of Peterson

Peterson is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,745 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1950, 819 American babies have been named Peterson. Its peak came in 1989, when 28 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1980s.

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 Peterson stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Peterson?

The median living Peterson is about 31 years old; half are between 18 and 41. An estimated 800 people named Peterson 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.

Peterson year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	9	#8,745
2024	9	#8,812
2023	6	#11,903
2022	11	#7,619
2021	9	#8,662
2020	9	#8,560
2019	10	#8,059
2018	7	#10,464
2017	14	#6,258
2016	12	#7,034
2015	10	#7,898
2014	10	#7,978
2013	11	#7,419
2012	14	#6,224
2011	14	#6,168
2010	12	#6,990
2009	9	#8,819
2008	9	#8,834
2007	19	#4,936
2006	12	#6,799
2005	9	#8,136
2004	17	#4,955
2003	12	#6,161
2002	11	#6,411
2001	21	#3,945
2000	24	#3,505
1995	16	#4,001
1990	18	#3,426
1985	13	#3,551
1980	12	#3,561
1975	–	–
1970	6	#4,595
1965	6	#3,826
1960	5	#4,458
1955	7	#3,422
1950	5	#4,068
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Peterson?

The median living Peterson is about 31 years old. Half of all living Petersons are between 18 and 41 years old.

How many people named Peterson are alive today?

An estimated 800 people named Peterson are alive in the United States, based on 819 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Peterson mean?

English, Scottish, and German surname, from Peter +‎ -son.

How popular is the name Peterson in 2025?

Peterson ranked #8,745 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Peterson?

819 babies have been named Peterson in the United States since 1950, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Peterson most popular?

Peterson peaked in 1989, when 28 newborns received the name.

Is Peterson a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Peterson rising or falling?

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

Peterson

Peterson popularity over time

The story of Peterson

How old are people named Peterson?

Peterson year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Peterson