Davidson is a name of English origin that has gained popularity in recent years. It is derived from the surname Davidson, which itself comes from the personal name David, meaning "beloved" or "uncle" in Hebrew. The name David is often associated with King David, who was a significant figure in the Old Testament of the Bible.
The name Davidson means "son of David." In Scottish history, it has been used as a surname since at least the 13th century. The first record of the name appears in Scotland in 1296 when William Davidsone was listed as living in Berwickshire. Over time, Davidson became an established family name and is now found throughout the world.
Davidson has also been used as a given name for boys since the Middle Ages. In England, it was relatively uncommon until the late 20th century when its popularity began to rise steadily. Today, Davidson is considered a modern classic name that combines strength and sophistication with approachability and warmth.
In literature, one of the most notable Davidsons is American novelist and screenwriter Douglas Davidson, who is best known for his contributions to the crime genre. In sports, Scottish footballer Craig Davidson played professionally in the late 20th century. These individuals have helped to contribute to the reputation of the name Davidson as one that inspires confidence and accomplishment.
Overall, Davidson is a strong, distinctive name with an interesting history and a meaningful origin. Its popularity has grown significantly over recent decades, making it a popular choice for parents looking for a unique yet approachable name for their sons.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Davidson has seen a varied trend in popularity over time in the United States.
The earliest data available starts from 1924 with only 5 births recorded that year. The numbers fluctuated between 5 and 8 until 1976 when there was a noticeable increase to 10 births, suggesting a growing interest in the name during this period.
This trend continued into the late 1970s and early 1980s with peaks of 12 births in both 1979 and 1981. The name reached its peak popularity in the United States in 1994 with a total of 31 births that year.
Since then, the number of Davidson births has remained relatively high, with double-digit figures consistently recorded until 2010 when it dropped to 25 births. However, it has since rebounded, reaching its most recent peak of 38 births in 2017 and remaining above or near 20 births annually.
In total, from 1924 to 2023, there have been 1101 recorded births with the name Davidson in the United States. This demonstrates that while it may not be one of the most popular names overall, Davidson has maintained a steady presence among baby boys' names over the past century.