"son of Adam"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Addison
Pronunciation: [ AD-uhs-uhn ]
Girl Name
#68 Most Popular
Steady
3 Syllables
A modern surname-name launched to stardom by Grey's Anatomy
American
English
Modern
Trendy
Playful
Strong
Meaning & Origin
"son of the earth"
Origin: Old English/Hebrew
Language: English
Things to Know About This Name
- Addison's disease (a rare autoimmune adrenal disorder) shares this name, though this rarely concerns parents
The Story of Addison
Addison began as an Old English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Adam.' Adam itself comes from Hebrew 'adamah' meaning 'earth' or 'ground' — the first man in the biblical tradition. The name was associated with Joseph Addison (1672-1719), the influential British essayist who co-founded The Spectator magazine. It made the jump from surname to girl's first name in the US primarily in the 1990s-2000s as the Madison/surname-name trend took hold.
Addison exploded in popularity as a girls' name after the character Dr. Addison Montgomery debuted on ABC's Grey's Anatomy in 2005 (played by Kate Walsh). It entered the US top 10 girls' names in 2006 — one of the most documented cases of a TV character directly influencing baby naming trends.
Addison is a quintessential 21st-century American name — a formerly masculine surname repurposed as a feminine given name through the power of popular media. The Grey's Anatomy effect is studied by naming researchers as a definitive example of television's influence on naming trends.
Fun Facts
- Addison entered the US Top 10 girls' names in 2006, the year after Dr. Addison Montgomery debuted on Grey's Anatomy
- Joseph Addison co-founded The Spectator magazine in 1711, helping establish the modern English essay and prose style
Addison in Other Languages
French
Addison
Spanish
Addison
Japanese
アディソン
Famous People Named Addison
A
Addison Rae
Entertainer
2000
American social media personality and actress who became one of the first major TikTok stars with over 80 million follow...
American social media personality and actress who became one of the first major TikTok stars with over 80 million followers
J
Joseph Addison
Writer
1672
British essayist, poet, and politician who co-founded The Spectator and shaped 18th-century English prose style
A
Addison Montgomery Fictional
Other
Neonatal-perinatal specialist played by Kate Walsh on Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice — her debut in 2005 drove the ...
Neonatal-perinatal specialist played by Kate Walsh on Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice — her debut in 2005 drove the name Addison into the US top 10
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #68
- Total SSA Count
- 3,327
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Addie
Addy
Pairs Well With
Addison Grace
Addison Mae
Addison Rose
Addison Claire
Addison Lee
Addison Kate
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Addison is also used as a boy name, ranked #1937.
View Addison as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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" (from Old English/Hebrew). Addison began as an Old English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Adam.' Adam itself comes from Hebrew 'adamah' meaning 'earth' or 'ground' — the first man in the biblical tradition. The name was associated with Joseph Addison (1672-1719), the influential British essayist who co-founded The Spectator magazine. It made the jump from surname to girl's first name in the US primarily in the 1990s-2000s as the Madison/surname-name trend took hold.
What is the origin of the name Addison?
Addison has Old English, Old English/Hebrew, American, and English origins. In Old English, it means "son of Adam". In Old English/Hebrew, it means "son of the earth".
Is Addison a boy or girl name?
Addison is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #68. As a boy name, it is ranked #1937. 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 #68 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Addison?
Common nicknames for Addison include Addie and Addy.
What are good middle names for Addison?
Popular middle name pairings include Addison Grace, Addison Mae, Addison Rose, Addison Claire, Addison Lee, and Addison Kate.
What are good sibling names for Addison?
Names that pair well with Addison as siblings include Peyton, Parker, Harper, Jackson, Blake, 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 a very popular name, ranked #68 among girl names in the United States.
About the Name Addison
Addison is a girl 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 girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #68 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,937. Addison is more commonly used as a girl name.
Addison is currently ranked #68 in popularity for girl 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 and Addy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Addison include Addilyn, Addie, Addilynn, Addisyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.