"son of Anne, son of Agnes"
Origin: English patronymic
Language: English
Anson
Pronunciation: [ ANS-uhn ]
Does Anson flow with your last name?
Quietly distinguished with a naval heritage
English
American
Chinese-American
Classic
Strong
Sophisticated
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"son of Hans/John"
Origin: German/Dutch via English
Language: English
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The Story of Anson
Anson is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Anne' or 'son of Agnes,' though some scholars trace it to 'son of Hans' (a German/Dutch form of John). It originated as a medieval English surname and has been used as a given name since the 18th century. Admiral George Anson's famous circumnavigation of the globe (1740-1744) and subsequent naval reforms brought the name considerable prestige in British culture.
Anson has seen a quiet revival in the 2010s-2020s as parents seek surname-style names that feel established and distinguished. Actor Anson Mount (TV series Hell on Wheels, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) has kept the name in contemporary pop culture consciousness.
Admiral George Anson (1697-1762) was one of Britain's greatest naval commanders, whose circumnavigation voyage became legendary and whose reforms created the professional Royal Navy. The name also has significant usage in Chinese-American communities as a common English-language name choice.
Historical Record
Anson first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 6,851 babies have been named Anson in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Anson is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,396 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Admiral George Anson's 1740-1744 circumnavigation of the globe resulted in only 500 of his original 2,000 crew members surviving — but his subsequent reforms transformed the British Royal Navy
- Anson is a relatively common English name in Hong Kong and among Chinese-American families, bridging Eastern and Western naming traditions
Anson in Other Languages
French
Anson
German
Anson
Chinese
安森
Spanish
Anson
Japanese
アンソン
Popularity Over Time
#1,396
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Anson
A
Anson Mount
Actor
1973
American actor known for Hell on Wheels and his acclaimed portrayal of Captain Pike in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
A
Anson Williams
Actor
1949
American actor who played Warren 'Potsie' Weber on the classic TV series Happy Days
G
George Anson
Military
1697
British admiral who circumnavigated the globe (1740-1744) and transformed the Royal Navy through sweeping reforms
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,396
- Total SSA Count
- 134
- Cultural Origins
- English American Chinese-American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Ans
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Anson
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Anson is also used as a girl name, ranked #48145.
View Anson as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Anson
What does the name Anson mean?
"son of Anne, son of Agnes" (from English patronymic). "son of Hans/John" (from German/Dutch via English). Anson is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Anne' or 'son of Agnes,' though some scholars trace it to 'son of Hans' (a German/Dutch form of John). It originated as a medieval English surname and has been used as a given name since the 18th century. Admiral George Anson's famous circumnavigation of the globe (1740-1744) and subsequent naval reforms brought the name considerable prestige in British culture.
What is the origin of the name Anson?
Anson has English patronymic, German/Dutch via English, English, American, and Chinese-American origins. In English patronymic, it means "son of Anne, son of Agnes". In German/Dutch via English, it means "son of Hans/John".
Is Anson a boy or girl name?
Anson is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1396. As a girl name, it is ranked #48145. Anson is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Anson?
Anson is pronounced ANS-uhn.
How popular is the name Anson?
Anson is currently ranked #1396 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Anson?
Common nicknames for Anson include Ans.
What are good middle names for Anson?
Popular middle name pairings include Anson James, Anson William, Anson Lee, Anson Thomas, Anson Gray, Anson Reid, and Anson Blake.
What are good sibling names for Anson?
Names that pair well with Anson as siblings include Harrison, Mason, Anderson, Lennon, Avery, Sloane, Hadley, and Emerson.
How many syllables does Anson have?
Anson has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Anson a common or rare name?
Anson is an uncommon name, ranked #1396 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Anson
Anson is a boy name with English, American, and Chinese-American origins . The name means "son of Anne, son of Agnes" in English patronymic .
Is Anson a boy or girl name? Anson is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,396 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #48,145. Anson is more commonly used as a boy name.
Anson is currently ranked #1,396 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Anson has 2 syllables and is pronounced ANS-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Anson include Ans. 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