Hudson
Meaning of Hudson
Hudson is an English surname turned given name. It began as a patronymic meaning son of Hudde, with Hudde a medieval personal name usually explained as a pet form of Richard; some reference works also connect it with Hugh. As a first name it keeps the surname’s straightforward family-name feel.
It is pronounced HUD-suhn; American and British English use the same pronunciation.
The name is closely associated with Henry Hudson, the English explorer for whom the Hudson River and Hudson Bay are named. Hudson Taylor, the British Protestant missionary who founded the China Inland Mission and spent 54 years in China, is another well-known bearer; he helped send more than 800 missionaries and establish schools and stations across China.
In the United States, Hudson has risen sharply as a boys’ name. In 2025 it was given to 8,583 boys and ranked 17th, its peak rank. In 2000 it ranked 588th with 337 boys, and it entered the top 100 in 2012 at 93rd. It has ranked in the top 25 every year since 2023, and its climb from outside the top 500 to the top 20 is the defining feature of its modern popularity.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as HUD-suhn (/'hʌds(ə)n/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Hudson
| James Hudson Taylor was a British Protestant missionary who founded the China Inland Mission and, over 54 years in China, helped send more than 800 missionaries, start 125 schools, and establish over 300 stations across all 18 provinces, leading to about 20,000 conversions. |
