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Nelson as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Nelson

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The baby name Nelson is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced NEL-sən (IPA: /ˈnɛlsən/).

Nelson is English in Origin.

Gender: Male
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: English
Pronunciation: NEL-sən (IPA: /ˈnɛlsən/)

What is the meaning of the name Nelson ?

The baby name Nelson is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced NEL-sən (IPA: /ˈnɛlsən/).

Nelson is English in Origin.

Nelson is an English patronymic surname turned given name, meaning “son of Neil” (from Gaelic Niall, “champion; passionate”) or, in Scandinavian lines, “son of Nels/Nils” (ultimately from Nicholas, “victory of the people”). It can also arise as “son of Nell,” with Nell a medieval pet form of Eleanor or Ellen.

As a given name, it gained currency in the 19th century, buoyed by Admiral Horatio Nelson’s fame; later visibility from crooner Nelson Eddy, governor and philanthropist Nelson Rockefeller, and statesman Nelson Mandela broadened its reach across the English-speaking world and into Latin America and Africa. Variants and related forms include Neilson, Nelsen, Nielson, Nilsen, Nilson, and the Portuguese/Spanish Nélson; short forms include Nels and Nel. The name balances a sturdy, traditional feel with friendly nicknames and cross-cultural recognition.

Nelson has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Nelson

Nelson Mandela Politician · Born 1918 · South Africa Nelson Mandela was a South African politician who became a global symbol for his role in ending apartheid. He served as the country's first Black president from 1994 to 1999. Mandela is also known for his autobiography, 'Long Walk to Freedom'. Nelson Rockefeller Politician · Born 1908 · United States Nelson Rockefeller is best known as the 41st vice president of the United States, serving under President Gerald Ford from 1974 to 1977. A prominent Republican and member of the Rockefeller family, he was also governor of New York from 1959 to 1973. Nelson Eddy Actor|musician · Born 1901 · United States Nelson Eddy was an American actor and musician best known for his roles in musical films during the 1930s and 1940s. He starred in popular movies like 'Rose-Marie' and 'Naughty Marietta' alongside Jeanette MacDonald. Eddy's rich baritone voice and charming screen presence made him a beloved figure in Hollywood's golden age.
Nelson Pereira dos Santos Actor · Born 1928 · Brazil Nelson Pereira dos Santos was a pioneering Brazilian filmmaker, best known for his influential role in the Cinema Novo movement. His acclaimed films include 'Vidas Secas' and 'Rio, 40 Graus', which captured the social and cultural realities of Brazil. Nelson Bonilla Actor · Born 1990 · El Salvador Nelson Bonilla is best known as a Salvadoran footballer who plays as a forward for FAS and serves as captain of the El Salvador national team. Born on 11 September 1990, he is a professional striker from El Salvador.

Celebrity babies named Nelson

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Nelson Angélil Céline Dion singer ★★★★★ René Angélil singer ★★★★★

Nelson – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Boys 2017 #1 — 743
HT 0 #10 3 399
BI 0 #11 2 425
SV 0 #11 1 283
SV Boys 0 #11 20 352
AO Boys 0 #14 1,044 5,568
HN 0 #14 9 704
AO 0 #15 86 2,729
FJ Boys 0 #16 2 603
BW 0 #19 1 960
HN Boys 0 #23 34 749
HT Girls 0 #23 1 950
HT Boys 0 #24 11 903
NA 0 #24 10 2,537
BN 0 #28 5 2,297
PR 0 #30 26 1,497
DJ Boys 0 #33 4 657
PR Boys 0 #34 328 2,508
PT Boys 0 #35 6,157 7,951
CO Boys 0 #37 34,808 15,656
MU Boys 0 #37 1,352 8,477
MO 0 #38 15 2,706
ID 0 #39 1 2,238
BI Boys 0 #44 1 917
CM 0 #46 10 2,592
BO Boys 0 #51 5,065 9,244
CL Boys 0 #53 12,207 13,390
LU 0 #53 14 2,830
BW Boys 0 #60 100 4,685
JP 0 #62 16 4,057
GT Boys 0 #64 1,804 7,625
UY Boys 0 #65 2,382 5,922
PA Boys 0 #67 1,864 9,305
IN 0 #68 4 2,963
NA Boys 0 #68 213 6,830
PT 0 #68 402 4,161
MU 0 #69 80 3,613
BO 0 #73 561 6,868
EC 0 #73 43 2,502
EC Boys 0 #73 395 3,322
AL 0 #74 3 2,372
PH 0 #76 21 5,607
MV Boys 0 #77 3 3,375
CN 0 #79 8 3,857
CR Boys 0 #79 1,554 10,188
LU Boys 0 #79 197 4,970
MO Boys 0 #80 181 5,842
CO 0 #86 1,420 7,768
QA 0 #86 15 7,011
PA 0 #87 44 3,797
JM 0 #89 5 3,714
TW 0 #89 12 4,523
BN Boys 0 #99 35 6,332
GT 0 #99 271 5,948
BR Boys 0 #100 4,842 12,213
HK Boys 0 #101 1,509 12,905
OM 0 #101 16 6,215
PH Boys 0 #101 410 11,440
PE Boys 0 #102 5,874 14,506
AR Boys 0 #107 1,803 7,628
KW 0 #107 10 5,216
GE Boys 0 #109 2 2,055
ZA Boys 0 #111 5,457 25,619
BN Girls 0 #114 1 5,459
CL 0 #114 607 6,867
HU 0 #115 1 1,675
ID Boys 0 #117 15 4,130
EE Boys 0 #124 2 2,087
TW Boys 0 #126 135 7,111
CY Boys 0 #131 1 3,473
Switzerland Boys 2024 #133 5 1,769
CR 0 #134 25 5,526
JP Boys 0 #134 185 7,909
NG Boys 0 #136 4,020 16,906
GH Boys 0 #138 336 8,138
UY 0 #138 40 2,477
NG 0 #143 126 5,926
AE 0 #150 28 10,220
BW Girls 0 #150 2 4,216
CM Boys 0 #163 829 12,054
AR 0 #164 23 2,915
HK 0 #164 219 8,483
Sweden Boys 2022 #165 18 1,509
PR Girls 0 #167 1 3,171
Belgium Boys 2023 #171 25 415
HU Boys 0 #172 3 3,954
MT Boys 0 #174 6 4,064
PE 0 #178 140 6,350
GH 0 #180 64 5,396
LU Girls 0 #188 3 4,850
RU 0 #193 2 3,641
SG 0 #195 75 11,010
BR 0 #202 153 5,969
MY Boys 0 #202 2,213 25,439
DK 0 #204 3 5,198
CN Boys 0 #208 117 9,639
AO Girls 0 #209 9 4,575
SI Boys 0 #211 1 3,402
PL 0 #212 1 2,600
SG Boys 0 #217 772 17,960
BG Boys 0 #219 2 3,850
MY 0 #223 113 12,352
HU Girls 0 #225 1 3,308
PS 0 #225 2 5,692
AL Girls 0 #227 1 4,141
IR 0 #231 1 4,221
NA Girls 0 #233 5 7,146
SA 0 #239 57 10,560
BD 0 #240 2 5,992
JM Boys 0 #248 25 6,876
Spain Boys 0 #255 1,705 5,610
EC Girls 0 #256 3 3,650
HR Boys 0 #257 3 3,997
AL Boys 0 #262 37 5,122
MO Girls 0 #263 1 7,056
GR Boys 0 #268 6 6,912
JM Girls 0 #274 5 7,507
Canada Boys 2024 #275 32 2,588
IL 0 #280 3 6,291
France Boys 2021 #294 96 2,865
KZ Boys 0 #295 2 6,578
SD Boys 0 #298 154 10,523
CZ Boys 0 #301 5 6,530
MX Boys 0 #303 1,727 16,355
GH Girls 0 #304 21 6,973
DK Girls 0 #329 1 7,429
DK Boys 0 #329 4 7,401
ZA 0 #332 116 14,421
PL Boys 0 #335 6 6,459
QA Girls 0 #339 5 15,378
CZ Girls 0 #351 1 5,378
MX 0 #354 60 8,339
SD Girls 0 #355 4 7,678
MU Girls 0 #356 7 8,539
CN Girls 0 #357 3 8,829
Spain 0 #364 89 2,326
NL 0 #373 19 2,481
JO Boys 0 #385 5 7,057
YE 0 #394 5 8,639
BD Girls 0 #405 2 8,413
Finland Boys 0 #405 23 2,041
EG 0 #411 2 6,387
OM Girls 0 #422 3 15,987
PH Girls 0 #422 8 13,098
Austria Boys 0 #423 20 2,180
PT Girls 0 #434 18 7,952
QA Boys 0 #437 279 18,093
BH 0 #452 102 17,937
RU Boys 0 #465 41 12,621
PA Girls 0 #469 13 9,861
GT Girls 0 #488 18 7,500
KW Boys 0 #489 292 18,755
UY Girls 0 #489 22 6,731
LY 0 #491 45 12,703
PS Boys 0 #506 43 10,655
CM Girls 0 #510 31 11,671
RU Girls 0 #522 2 11,913
CR Girls 0 #523 10 11,342
IQ Girls 0 #525 1 11,303
NG Girls 0 #526 285 15,093
AE Girls 0 #543 11 20,968
IR Girls 0 #545 1 8,334
PS Girls 0 #547 1 10,981
KW Girls 0 #554 8 19,177
IR Boys 0 #559 7 10,162
BD Boys 0 #564 13 10,045
IL Boys 0 #573 35 10,983
BO Girls 0 #582 30 9,488
United States Boys 2024 #587 322 7,044
Finland Boys 2026 #587 96 3,552
AR Girls 0 #588 12 8,289
OM Boys 0 #593 301 17,948
AE Boys 0 #609 567 22,615
SG Girls 0 #624 9 18,916
IT Boys 0 #631 1,214 10,046
HK Girls 0 #643 8 16,104
IL Girls 0 #645 1 11,648
IN Girls 0 #646 9 13,121
NL Boys 0 #647 317 5,873
IQ Boys 0 #650 18 13,071
IT 0 #650 65 4,183
SA Boys 0 #654 1,503 28,008
LB 0 #683 8 13,263
Germany Boys 0 #756 197 5,697
SY 0 #761 7 11,684
CL Girls 0 #768 84 14,098
TN 0 #814 16 13,765
EG Boys 0 #835 52 15,035
IN Boys 0 #851 151 16,750
CO Girls 0 #863 219 16,140
ZA Girls 0 #884 258 25,928
SA Girls 0 #906 30 25,931
United States Girls 2023 #909 6 8,600
PE Girls 0 #910 34 14,861
BR Girls 0 #911 31 12,708
MY Girls 0 #970 25 24,821
Spain Girls 0 #972 12 5,561
EG Girls 0 #1,009 1 14,742
MA 0 #1,082 47 20,986
DZ 0 #1,150 27 20,130
MX Girls 0 #1,172 12 17,781
TR 0 #1,192 20 19,440
IT Girls 0 #1,421 26 9,415

Nelson is popular in 91 countries — most recent births per country:

France
Canada
Switzerland
United States
Wallonia, Belgium

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People also ask about Nelson

Nelson is predominantly a boy's name.
Nelson is a 2 syllable name, pronounced NEL-sən (IPA: /ˈnɛlsən/).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Nels, Nelsen, Neilson, Nielson, Nielsen and Nilsen.
Yes, very popular — Nelson ranked #1 in Ireland in 2017, and appears in official birth registries across 9 countries.
Nelson ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2017).
Nelson's popularity is declining significantly. It moved from #263 in 2011 to #294 in 2021 in France.
Yes — 5 notable people named Nelson are in our database, including Nelson Mandela (Politician), Nelson Rockefeller (Politician), Nelson Eddy (Actor|musician).
Yes — at least 1 celebrity couple has chosen Nelson for their child, including Céline Dion and René Angélil.