Carlson
Every Carlson since 1920 — 747 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Carlson
Carlson is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #12,360 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1920, 747 American babies have been named Carlson. Its peak came in 2016, when 19 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Carlson stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Carlson year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | #12,360 |
| 2024 | 14 | #6,244 |
| 2023 | 12 | #6,968 |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | 12 | #6,772 |
| 2020 | 8 | #8,877 |
| 2019 | 13 | #6,473 |
| 2018 | 11 | #7,209 |
| 2017 | 18 | #5,138 |
| 2016 | 19 | #4,977 |
| 2015 | 17 | #5,335 |
| 2014 | 15 | #5,771 |
| 2013 | 10 | #7,621 |
| 2012 | 9 | #8,263 |
| 2011 | 12 | #6,653 |
| 2010 | 9 | #8,250 |
| 2009 | 8 | #9,114 |
| 2008 | 11 | #7,280 |
| 2007 | 9 | #8,286 |
| 2006 | 14 | #5,828 |
| 2005 | 12 | #6,286 |
| 2004 | 13 | #5,859 |
| 2003 | 10 | #6,803 |
| 2002 | 13 | #5,441 |
| 2001 | 12 | #5,726 |
| 2000 | 15 | #4,816 |
| 1995 | 11 | #5,176 |
| 1990 | 10 | #5,040 |
| 1985 | 5 | #6,670 |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | 6 | #4,874 |
| 1970 | 7 | #3,899 |
| 1965 | 5 | #3,986 |
| 1960 | 13 | #2,330 |
| 1955 | 7 | #3,236 |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | 5 | #3,391 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | 10 | #2,800 |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Carlson in 2025?
Carlson ranked #12,360 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Carlson?
747 babies have been named Carlson in the United States since 1920, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Carlson most popular?
Carlson peaked in 2016, when 19 newborns received the name.
Is Carlson a boy or girl name?
Carlson is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Carlson rising or falling?
Carlson is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.