How to say it
CAR · son
ˈkɑr.sən
Masculine
Carson
Marsh dweller, or 'son of Carr'
What it means
Scottish surname of uncertain etymology, possibly from a Gaelic root for 'marsh' (carr) or 'son of Carr' (a Norse-derived personal name). Kit Carson the frontiersman + Carson Daly the TV host cover most of the cultural surface.
Carson is a Scottish surname of disputed etymology. The most common reading is from a Gaelic root carr ('rock' or 'marsh'); another reading is 'son of Carr' (Carr being a Norse-derived personal name). Kit Carson (1809-1868), the American frontiersman and trapper, gave the surname its Western anchor; Carson City, Nevada, is named for him. Carson Daly (the MTV TRL host turned NBC's The Voice) and Downton Abbey's butler Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) cover the modern English-language anchors. The first-name usage in the US started in the 1980s and is now solidly top-150.
How to spell Carson
The standard spelling is Carson. Common variants include Karson, but Carson is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #70 in 2018, currently #124 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed August 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
Kit Carson and Carson Daly are the two dominant anchors; Downton Abbey's Mr. Carson the butler is the smaller third.
Who's worn it
- Kit Carson American frontiersman, scout, and Union general, 1809-1868
- Carson Daly American TV host, MTV's TRL and NBC's The Voice
Spelling variants
- Karson
Names with the same feeling
See Carson from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Carson mean?
- Scottish surname of uncertain etymology, possibly from a Gaelic root for 'marsh' (carr) or 'son of Carr' (a Norse-derived personal name). Kit Carson the frontiersman + Carson Daly the TV host cover most of the cultural surface.
- What does Carson mean in Scottish?
- In Scottish, Carson means "Marsh dweller, or 'son of Carr'." Carson is a Scottish surname of disputed etymology. The most common reading is from a Gaelic root carr ('rock' or 'marsh'); another reading is 'son of Carr' (Carr being a Norse-derived personal name). Kit Carson (1809-1868), the American frontiersman and trapper, gave the surname its Western anchor; Carson City, Nevada, is named for him. Carson Daly (the MTV TRL host turned NBC's The Voice) and Downton Abbey's butler Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) cover the modern English-language anchors. The first-name usage in the US started in the 1980s and is now solidly top-150.
- How do you pronounce Carson?
- Carson is pronounced ˈkɑr.sən. Say it as CAR-son, with the stress on the "car" syllable.
- How do you spell Carson?
- The standard spelling is Carson. Common spelling variants include Karson.
- Is Carson a boy or girl name?
- Carson is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Carson?
- Carson ranked #124 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.