Peterson is a name of Scandinavian origin, specifically from Norway and Sweden. It is a patronymic name, which means that it was originally derived from the father's given name rather than being a separate given name in its own right.
The name Peterson comes from the Old Norse personal name Petr, which is thought to have been derived from the Latin word "Petrus," meaning "rock" or "stone." This name has been used extensively throughout Scandinavia for centuries and has since become popular in other parts of the world as well.
In Norwegian, Peterson is often shortened to Pedersen, while in Swedish it may be written as Petersson. The name has also been anglicized to Peterson in English-speaking countries.
Historically, the name Peterson has been associated with many notable figures throughout history. For example, in Norway, there was a famous 19th-century painter named Hans Gude who went by the name Hans Gude Pedersen. In Sweden, there was a prominent poet and author named August Strindberg whose father's name was Carl Oscar Peterson.
Today, Peterson remains a popular given name for boys throughout Scandinavia and beyond. It is often used as a middle or surname as well. While it may have originated centuries ago from the Latin word "Petrus," the meaning behind this name continues to resonate with many people today who choose to bear this strong and enduring name.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe trends and patterns regarding the number of babies named Peterson born annually in the United States from 1950 to 2023.
Starting with just 5 births each year between 1950 and 1954, there was a steady increase reaching a peak of 28 births in 1989. This period marked the beginning of Peterson becoming more popular as a baby name choice.
The peak popularity continued through the late '80s and early '90s, with consistently high numbers of babies named Peterson each year until it reached its highest point at 24 births in 2000. After this peak, there was a gradual decline in the number of newborn boys named Peterson.
From 2005 onwards, the popularity of the name continued to decrease, reaching a low of 6 births in 2023. Despite this decline, it is clear that Peterson has been and continues to be a widely chosen name for babies born in the United States.
In total, over the span of these years, there were 801 babies named Peterson born in the U.S., reflecting its enduring popularity among parents throughout various decades.