Addison is a name of English origin that has gained popularity in recent years as a unisex given name. It is derived from the surname Addison, which is an occupational name meaning "son of Adam." The name Adam comes from the Hebrew language and means "man" or "earth."
The surname Addison was first recorded in the 13th century and is believed to have originated in Somerset, England. The name likely started as a nickname for someone who was the son of their father's friend named Adam.
Over time, the surname Addison evolved into a given name, particularly among families with a history of using names with English origins. Today, Addison is used as both a male and female given name throughout the English-speaking world.
One notable figure associated with the name Addison is Joseph Addison (1672-1719), an English essayist, poet, and politician who was a co-founder of The Spectator magazine. Despite his contributions to literature and politics, there is no evidence that he had any influence on the evolution of the name Addison as a given name.
In summary, Addison is a name of English origin with Hebrew roots, meaning "son of Adam" or "earth." It evolved from an occupational surname into a unisex given name over time, with no significant historical figures contributing to its popularity.
The name Addison experienced significant fluctuations over the years, with a dramatic rise starting around 1985. Prior to this period, annual births ranged between single digits and around 50. However, from 1986 onwards, there was a marked increase, peaking at 445 births in 2006. After 2007, the popularity of the name Addison began to decline, with fewer than 200 births per year since then. As of 2023, Addison is still among the less common names, with around 70 births annually. Overall, there have been a total of 13,281 births named Addison over this period.