"son of the red-haired one"
Redding
Pronunciation: [ r-EHD-ihng ]
A strong English surname with soulful history
Meaning & Origin
"settlement of the red family"
The Story of Redding
Redding is an Old English surname derived from a place name, ultimately from the Anglo-Saxon reding or read-ingas, meaning the people of the red one or settlement of Read family. It connects to the color red (reod in Old English), often used as a nickname for red-haired individuals. The English town of Reading shares this etymology. As a given name, Redding carries the distinguished feel of an old English place-name surname.
Redding gained attention as a given name partly through the legacy of Otis Redding, the legendary soul singer. It fits comfortably in the modern trend of using surnames and place names as first names, appealing to parents who want something distinctive but rooted in English tradition.
The name is strongly associated with Otis Redding, one of the greatest soul musicians of the 20th century. For music-loving parents, Redding carries the spirit of passion, soulfulness, and artistic greatness.
Fun Facts
- Otis Redding recorded Sitting On the Dock of the Bay just three days before his fatal plane crash in 1967 — it became his biggest hit posthumously
- Reading, England (pronounced Redding) is one of the UK largest towns and gives the name its traditional pronunciation
Redding in Other Languages
Famous People Named Redding
Noel Redding
Musician
1945
British musician best known as the bass guitarist for the Jimi Hendrix Experience
Otis Redding
Musician
1941
American soul singer and songwriter considered one of the greatest singers in history, known for Sittin On the Dock of t...
American soul singer and songwriter considered one of the greatest singers in history, known for Sittin On the Dock of the Bay
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,854
- Total SSA Count
- 21
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Redding is also used as a girl name, ranked #25677.
View Redding as a girl name →Same Origin Names (English)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Redding
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About the Name Redding
Redding is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "son of the red-haired one" in Old English .
Is Redding a boy or girl name? Redding is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,854 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #25,677. Redding is more commonly used as a boy name.
Redding is currently ranked #4,854 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Redding has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-EHD-ihng, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Redding include Red and Redd. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.