"son of Adam"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Addison
Pronunciation: [ AD-uhs-uhn ]
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Son of Adam — literary heritage and earthly roots
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Meaning & Origin
"son of the earth-man"
Origin: Hebrew/English
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Addison has shifted substantially to predominantly female usage in the US since the mid-2000s, which some parents of boys may want to consider
The Story of Addison
Addison is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Adam.' Adam derives from the Hebrew 'adamah' meaning 'earth, ground' — connecting to the biblical first man formed from the earth itself. As a given name, Addison was historically masculine, often used in honor of the English essayist Joseph Addison (1672-1719), co-founder of The Spectator and one of the greatest prose stylists of his age. In the 21st century, it dramatically shifted to predominantly female use in America.
Addison was a respectable but uncommon masculine name through most of the 20th century. It then exploded as a girls' name around 2000-2010, driven partly by Grey's Anatomy's character Dr. Addison Montgomery (played by Kate Walsh). By 2010, Addison ranked in the top 10 for American girls while nearly vanishing for boys.
Joseph Addison (1672-1719) was one of the greatest English essayists and a co-founder of The Spectator magazine, which helped shape modern journalism and public discourse. Addison's disease, the adrenal insufficiency affecting President Kennedy and others, was named after physician Thomas Addison who first described it in 1855.
Historical Record
Addison first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 11,080 babies have been named Addison in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Addison is past its peak , currently ranked #1,937 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency) was named after physician Thomas Addison who first described it in 1855
- Joseph Addison co-founded The Spectator magazine in 1711, helping invent modern journalism
- Addison shifted from a rare boys' name to a top-10 girls' name in the US in just a decade (2000-2010)
Addison in Other Languages
French
Addison
English
Addison
Spanish
Addison
Popularity Over Time
#1,937
Current Rank
Peaked 1999
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Addison with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,937
- Total SSA Count
- 81
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Addie
Ad
Sonny
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Addison
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Addison is also used as a girl name, ranked #68.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Addison
What does the name Addison mean?
"son of Adam" (from Old English). "son of the earth-man" (from Hebrew/English). Addison is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Adam.' Adam derives from the Hebrew 'adamah' meaning 'earth, ground' — connecting to the biblical first man formed from the earth itself. As a given name, Addison was historically masculine, often used in honor of the English essayist Joseph Addison (1672-1719), co-founder of The Spectator and one of the greatest prose stylists of his age. In the 21st century, it dramatically shifted to predominantly female use in America.
What is the origin of the name Addison?
Addison has Old English, Hebrew/English, American, and English origins. In Old English, it means "son of Adam". In Hebrew/English, it means "son of the earth-man".
Is Addison a boy or girl name?
Addison is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1937. As a girl name, it is ranked #68. Addison is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Addison?
Addison is pronounced AD-uhs-uhn.
How popular is the name Addison?
Addison is currently ranked #1937 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Addison?
Common nicknames for Addison include Addie and Sonny.
What are good middle names for Addison?
Popular middle name pairings include Addison James, Addison Lee, Addison Gray, Addison Cole, Addison Reed, Addison Knox, and Addison Blake.
What are good sibling names for Addison?
Names that pair well with Addison as siblings include Harrison, Anderson, Parker, Emerson, Hudson, and Riley.
How many syllables does Addison have?
Addison has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Addison a common or rare name?
Addison is an uncommon name, ranked #1937 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Addison
Addison is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "son of Adam" in Old English .
Is Addison a boy or girl name? Addison is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,937 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #68. Addison is more commonly used as a girl name.
Addison is currently ranked #1,937 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Addison has 3 syllables and is pronounced AD-uhs-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Addison include Addie, Ad, and Sonny. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis