Ison
A boy's name of Old English origin with 108 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Ison is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, derived as a surname meaning 'son of Ise' or from a place name, with Ise being an Old English river name. Like many English surnames, it was adopted as a given name, particularly in American Southern and Appalachian families.
Ison has a clean, minimal quality — two syllables with a satisfying sound. As a given name it is exceptionally rare, offering any bearer a name with genuine Old English heritage and total distinctiveness.
EtymologyShow more
Ison is built from 4 letters and two syllables — a compact structure that favors quick recognition and easy recall. Within the Old English naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Ison creates its characteristic grounded, surname-style quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ison has 13+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1922.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | #12816 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 64 | #7859 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 29 | #9631 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 10 | #4440 | — |
The Story of Ison
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2013, Ison is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Ison are most likely born between 2003 and 2020.
How rare is Ison?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Ison is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1922, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2010s with 64 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Ison by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(13 years, 1922–2020)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | #12816 |
| 2017 | 8 | #9168 |
| 2014 | 14 | #6110 |
| 2013 | 17 | #5260 |
| 2012 | 9 | #8427 |
| 2011 | 8 | #9074 |
| 2010 | 8 | #9117 |
| 2008 | 8 | #9323 |
| 2006 | 8 | #9039 |
| 2005 | 8 | #8595 |
| 2003 | 5 | #11565 |
| 1929 | 5 | #4262 |
| 1922 | 5 | #4617 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ison a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ison most popular?
How popular is the name Ison?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1922–2020