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 August 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
- 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.