Nelson, of Latin origin, signifies 'son of Nel'. It was traditionally used as a surname but has evolved into a given name over time. The name gained prominence during the Victorian era and continues to be popular today. Nelson Mandela, the renowned anti-apartheid revolutionary and former President of South Africa, is among its most notable bearers.
The name Nelson experienced varied popularity over the years, with peaks and valleys in birth occurrences. From 1913 to 2023, there were a total of 431 births, with an average of approximately 5 births per year. The highest number of births in any single year was 13, occurring twice (in 1927 and 1936). However, there are several gaps in the data between 1923 and 1980, which could indicate a decline in popularity or missing information during those years. The most recent data shows that the name Nelson remains somewhat popular, with 5 births each year from 2019 to 2023.