Orson is a distinctive boys' name in United States, ranking #7678 in 1999 with 8 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2023 with 132 births ranking #1399. In 1999, approximately 1 in every 240,011 boys born was named Orson. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Orson is a compact literary name usually explained as bear cub. It feels unusual but well formed, with a sturdy, slightly old-fashioned charm.
The name is known from medieval romance and later from figures such as Orson Welles. Its rarity has helped it stay distinctive without feeling invented.