Anderson is a distinctive boys' name in United States, ranking #808 in 1996 with 178 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2012 with 1,249 births ranking #280. In 1996, approximately 1 in every 10,642 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.