Meaning & Origin
A surname originating as a patronymic.
Nelson is a boy's and girl's baby name of English origin, a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Neil,' where Neil comes from the Old Irish Niall, meaning 'champion.' It rose as a given name largely in tribute to Admiral Horatio Nelson, the hero of Trafalgar.
Nelson gained a second wave of global recognition through Nelson Mandela, who became a symbol of dignity and resilience. The name now carries both naval history and moral courage — an unusually powerful combination for any child to wear.