How to say it
STET · son
ˈstɛt.sən
Masculine
Stetson
Son of Stephen
What it means
English surname meaning 'son of Stet' (a medieval pet form of Stephen, Greek 'crown'). John B. Stetson founded the cowboy-hat company in 1865; the name is now nearly synonymous with the wide-brimmed Western hat.
Stetson is an English surname meaning 'son of Stet,' where Stet was a medieval pet form of Stephen (Greek Stephanos, 'crown'). The surname was documented from the 13th century. John Batterson Stetson (1830-1906), the Philadelphia-born hatter, founded the John B. Stetson Company in 1865 in Philadelphia and produced the wide-brimmed felt cowboy hat that became iconic of the American West; 'Stetson' is now a generic term for the style. As a US first name Stetson is American and modern, with strong Western and Texan associations. It entered the US top 500 in 2014. Common short: Stet.
How to spell Stetson
The standard spelling is Stetson. Common variants include Stetzen, but Stetson is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #136 in 2025, currently #136 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
The Stetson hat is the dominant US cultural anchor; the name carries Western and Texan flavor for most parents.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- John B. Stetson American hat maker, founded the Stetson Company 1865
Spelling variants
- Stetzen
Names with the same feeling
See Stetson from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Stetson mean?
- English surname meaning 'son of Stet' (a medieval pet form of Stephen, Greek 'crown'). John B. Stetson founded the cowboy-hat company in 1865; the name is now nearly synonymous with the wide-brimmed Western hat.
- What does Stetson mean in English?
- In English, Stetson means "Son of Stephen." Stetson is an English surname meaning 'son of Stet,' where Stet was a medieval pet form of Stephen (Greek Stephanos, 'crown'). The surname was documented from the 13th century. John Batterson Stetson (1830-1906), the Philadelphia-born hatter, founded the John B. Stetson Company in 1865 in Philadelphia and produced the wide-brimmed felt cowboy hat that became iconic of the American West; 'Stetson' is now a generic term for the style. As a US first name Stetson is American and modern, with strong Western and Texan associations. It entered the US top 500 in 2014. Common short: Stet.
- How do you pronounce Stetson?
- Stetson is pronounced ˈstɛt.sən. Say it as STET-son, with the stress on the "stet" syllable.
- How do you spell Stetson?
- The standard spelling is Stetson. Common spelling variants include Stetzen.
- Is Stetson a boy or girl name?
- Stetson is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Stetson?
- Stetson ranked #136 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.