Orson

“Bear cub” — Old French origin

Boy's name · #1425 in the US (2025) · 2020s

Orson has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #527 (1883) · 2,714 babies named Orson all-time · 1 in 14,000 boys born in 2025.

Around the world: about 1 in 2,500 boys in England & Wales (2025) · about 1 in 3,900 boys in Scotland (2025) · about 1 in 7,200 boys in Canada (2024).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 15 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Orsons

Orson Welles — American actor and filmmaker (1915–1985)
Orson Scott Card — American science fiction novelist (born 1951)
Orson Bean — American actor (1928–2020)
Orson Pratt — Apostle of the LDS Church (1811–1881)
Orson Hyde — American Mormon leader (1805-1878)

In stories & tradition

Orson Hodge — Desperate Housewives
Orson Krennic — Rogue One: A Star Wars Story · Star Wars Battlefront
Orson the Polar Bear — fictional bear

What Orsons become

Among 34 notable people named Orson:

Political leaders appear 2.48× more often than among typical names — e.g. Orson James Phelps, politician (1820-1897).

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