Anderson is a distinctive boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #1061 in 2018 with 26 recorded births. This places Anderson in the top 17% of ranked UK boys' names for the year. Its actual usage is classified as Rare. The name reached its all-time peak in 2015 with 33 births ranking #903. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 550.0%. In 2018, approximately 1 in every 12,023 boys born was named Anderson. FALLING Recent data shows the name is currently falling.
Anderson began as a surname meaning "son of Andrew" and now also works as a given name. It has a polished surname-style feel while still carrying a clear family-name meaning.
Like many modern first names, Anderson moved from surname use into the given-name column. Its rise fits the broader trend for tailored, surname-style boys' names.