Anderson

Meaning of Anderson

Anderson began life as a Scottish and Scandinavian patronymic literally meaning “son of Andrew,” and, like many surnames that crossed the Atlantic, it has gradually migrated into first-name territory. In the United States it has hovered in the mid–hundreds for more than a century—rarely cracking the Top 250, yet never disappearing—an admirable feat of statistical stamina that suggests steady rather than sensational appeal. Contemporary parents may associate it with broadcast journalist Anderson Cooper or the off-beat films of director Wes Anderson, but the name’s roots remain quietly traditional, anchored in the enduring Greek given name Andreas. Phonetically straightforward—AN-der-sən—it offers an easy fit in English-speaking contexts while retaining a faint Nordic lilt that distinguishes it from sturdier classics like Andrew. All told, Anderson manages to feel both familiar and subtly distinctive, a reasonable compromise for parents who like their data solid and their style understated.

Pronunciation

American English

• Pronunced as AN-der-suhn (/ˈændərsən/)

British English

• Pronunced as AN-dər-suhn (/ˈandəsən/)

• Andrew
• Andersson
• Anders
• Andersen