Pearson is an English surname and given name that originated from the Middle Ages. It was derived from the Old French word 'percehn', which means 'to pierce' or 'to perforate'. The name was originally given to people who were skilled in piercing metal, such as blacksmiths or armorers.
The use of Pearson as a given name is a more recent phenomenon, dating back only to the late 20th century. Before this time, it was almost exclusively used as a surname. Today, Pearson is typically considered a unisex name, although it is still more commonly used for males.
There are no specific historical figures associated with the name Pearson, and its meaning has not changed over time. However, some people may associate the name with the Pearson family of publishers, who founded the publishing company Pearson PLC in 1844. This company is known for publishing works by notable authors such as Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy.
In popular culture, there are a few notable figures named Pearson, including Canadian politician Lincoln Alexander and American actor Luke Perry. However, these individuals are not connected to the origin or history of the name itself. Overall, Pearson is an uncommon but distinctive name with a clear meaning and origins in medieval English society.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Pearson has seen varying levels of popularity over the years in the United States.
From 1898 to 1936, there were periods where the name was quite popular with as many as 16 births recorded in a single year (1919), and periods where it was less common, with only 5 births recorded annually between 1905 and 1925.
However, starting from 1937, there seems to be a resurgence of the name's popularity. From this year onwards, the number of annual births consistently remained above 5, except for a few years such as 1946 (5 births) and 1951 (5 births).
The highest point in Pearson's popularity occurred in recent years, with 58 births recorded in 2019. This is more than double the number of births recorded in the previous peak year of 1999, which had 37 births.
Overall, from 1898 to 2023, there have been a total of 1474 births with the name Pearson in the United States. This demonstrates that while it may not be one of the most popular names in terms of overall usage, Pearson has maintained a steady presence and popularity among parents choosing their children's names over these years.