How to Pronounce Nelson
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Nelson name meaning
First Name
78k
in the U.S.
since 1880
78k
in the U.S.
since 1880
Last Name
425k
in the U.S.
in 2010
425k
in the U.S.
in 2010
Girls
Boys
Meaning and Origin
What does the name Nelson mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Nelson
User Submitted Origins
English
61%
Norwegian
22%
Canadian
4%
African
4%
Irish
4%
Portuguese
4%
User Submitted Meanings
- According to a user from Georgia, U.S., the name Nelson means "Son of Nel".
- A user from Nevada, U.S. says the name Nelson is of Norwegian origin and means "Son of Nel therefore Nelson".
- A user from India says the name Nelson means "Son of sky".
- 2 submissions from Uganda and Canada agree the name Nelson means "Farmer".
- A submission from Uganda says the name Nelson means "The name nelson means success".
- A user from Kenya says the name Nelson means "Success".
- A submission from Colorado, U.S. says the name Nelson means "strong".
- According to a user from Minnesota, U.S., the name Nelson is of Norwegian origin and means "From ancient 'Nichlssen' from Greek 'Nicholas', a patron saint of sailors in sea faring countries. 'Nielssen', or 'Nelsson', or 'Nelson' is a patronymic--the some of 'Nils' (note final 's' as in 'Nicholas')".
- According to a user from Virginia, U.S., the name Nelson means "The begining the one".
International Interest
Also see international interest
Other Dictionary Sources
- Any of several wrestling holds in which an arm is passed under the opponent's arm from behind and the hand exerts pressure on the back of the neck
- English admiral who defeated the French fleets of Napoleon but was mortally wounded at Trafalgar (1758-1805)
Wiktionary
From Middle English Neil + -son and Nell + -son.
- In the United States, also an Anglicisation of Scandinavian surnames such as Nilsen, Nielsen, and Nilsson, equivalent to "son of Nicholas".
- A patronymic surname.
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
- A suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- A small fishing town in Victoria, Australia.
- A city in British Columbia, Canada.
- A town and civil parish of Pendle borough, Lancashire, England.
- A city and region of New Zealand, named after Horatio Nelson.
- An unincorporated community in Shelby County, Alabama.
- An unincorporated community in Butte County, California.
- A small city in Pickens County and Cherokee County, Georgia, United States.
- A village in Lee County, Illinois.
- A tiny city in Douglas County, Minnesota.
- A tiny city in Saline County, Missouri.
- A small city, the county seat of Nuckolls County, Nebraska.
- A census-designated place in Clark County, Nevada.
- A town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire.
- A town in Madison County, New York.
- A former small town in Durham County, North Carolina.
- An unincorporated community in Choctaw County, Oklahoma.
- An unincorporated community in Boone County, West Virginia.
- An unincorporated community in Mecklenburg County, Virginia.
- A village in Buffalo County, Wisconsin.
- A village and community in Caerphilly county borough, Wales (OS grid ref ST1195).
Nelson was also found in the following language(s): Cebuano, Portuguese, and Tagalog
Notable Persons Named Nelson
Notable Persons Named Nelson
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela was a 1st President of South Africa. Nelson was given the name Rolihlahla Mandela on July 18th, 1918 in Mvezo. Nelson is also known as Mandela and Rolihlahla. He breathed his last breath on December 5th, 2013.
Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Rockefeller was a Vice President of the United States and Governor of New York. Nelson was given the name Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller on July 8th, 1908 in Bar Harbor, Maine, U.S. He left this life on January 26th, 1979.
Nelson Piquet
Nelson Piquet is a formula one racer.
Nelson Peltz
Nelson Peltz is a chief executive officer & founding partner of trian fund management and l.p. Nelson was born on June 24th, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York, United States.
Nélson Oliveira
Nélson Oliveira is a soccer player for the Nottingham Forest F.C., S.L. Benfica, Santa Maria F.C., S.C. Braga, Rio Ave F.C., F.C. Paços de Ferreira, Deportivo de La Coruña, Stade Rennais F.C., Swansea City A.F.C., Portugal national under-16 football team, and Portugal national under-17 football team. Nélson was born on August 8th, 1991 in Barcelos, Portugal.
Nelson Riddle
Nelson Riddle was a traditional pop music, jazz, and big band arranger, composer, bandleader, orchestrator, arrangement, and orchestration. His most notable accomplishments were from 1940 to 1980. Nelson was given the name Nelson Smock Riddle, Jr. on June 1st, 1921 in Oradell, New Jersey, U.S. He died on October 6th, 1985.
Notable Persons With the Last Name Nelson
Notable Persons With the Last Name Nelson
Prince
Prince is a musician. He has been prominent since 1976. Prince was given the name Prince Rogers Nelson on June 7th, 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson is a country music, outlaw country, and rock music musician, songwriter, producer, actor, activist, singer, record producer, and singing. He plays Vocals, guitar, and Trigger (guitar). He holds the title Hello Walls", Shotgun Willie introduction", and On the Road Again". He has had major accomplishments since 1956. Willie was given the name Willie Hugh Nelson on April 29th, 1933 in Abbott, Texas, U.S.
The Viscount Nelson
His military service ended in 1805. The was born on September 29th, 1758 in Burnham Thorpe. The is also known as Nelson and Horatio (without title). He breathed his last breath on October 21st, 1805.
The Lord Rutherford of Nelson
The Lord Rutherford of Nelson was a President of the Royal Society and List of presidents of the Royal Society. The was born on August 30th, 1871 in Brightwater. He passed away on October 19th, 1937.
Rick Nelson
Rick Nelson was a rockabilly, rock 'n' roll, pop, folk, country, rock, roll, folk music, and country music musician. His most notable accomplishments were from 1949 to 1985. Rick was given the name Eric Hilliard Nelson on May 8th, 1940 in Teaneck, New Jersey, US. He left this life on December 31st, 1985.
Judd Nelson
Judd Nelson is an actor, producer, screenwriter, and film producer. He has had major accomplishments since 1983. Judd was given the name Judd Asher Nelson on November 28th, 1959 in Portland, Maine, United States.
- Craig T. NelsonActor
- Baby Face NelsonGangster
- Jameer NelsonBasketball Player
- Tracy NelsonActress
- Gunnar Nelson
- Tim Blake NelsonActor
- Ben E. KingSinging
- Albert KingMusician
- Bill NelsonChairman of the Senate Aging Committee
- Kristin NelsonActress
- Jordy NelsonFootball Player
- Don NelsonBasketball Player
- David NelsonActor
- Ozzie NelsonActor
Common last names for Nelson
Ethnicity Distribution
| Ethnicity | Nelson | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| █ | White | 77.66% | 64.26% |
| █ | African American | 15.97% | 11.96% |
| █ | Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander | 0.67% | 4.85% |
| █ | American Indian and Alaska Native | 1.16% | 0.69% |
| █ | Two or More Ethnicities | 2.00% | 1.76% |
| █ | Hispanic or Latino | 2.55% | 16.26% |
Of Last Name Nelson
People with the last name Nelson are most frequently White or African American
Entire United States
Fun Facts about the name Nelson
| #43 | Popular Surnames |
| #16 | Last Name First Names |