Swanson
A boy's name of Norse origin with 121 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Swanson is a boy's baby name of Old Norse origin, an English surname meaning 'son of Swan' — where Swan was an Old Norse personal name meaning 'swan.' The graceful white waterbird has symbolized beauty, poetry, and transformation in Norse and European mythology.
As a given name, Swanson carries the elegant swan imagery in a surname-style form. It is associated with Ron Swanson, the beloved character from Parks and Recreation, giving it a humorous pop culture resonance alongside its genuinely beautiful Old Norse heritage.
EtymologyShow more
Swanson is built from 7 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Norse naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Swanson 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
Swanson has 18+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1916.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 6 | #4002 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 5 | #4489 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 14 | #3308 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 29 | #3299 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 56 | #3876 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 11 | #4283 | — |
The Story of Swanson
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1934, Swanson is an elegant vintage name. Boys named Swanson are most likely born between 1924 and 1944.
How rare is Swanson?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Swanson is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1916, peaked in the 1920s with 56 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Swanson by the numbers
- Would fill 3 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(18 years, 1916–1963)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | 6 | #4002 |
| 1957 | 5 | #4489 |
| 1943 | 5 | #3986 |
| 1941 | 9 | #2630 |
| 1938 | 7 | #3142 |
| 1937 | 5 | #3962 |
| 1934 | 11 | #2377 |
| 1931 | 6 | #3713 |
| 1929 | 9 | #2952 |
| 1928 | 8 | #3326 |
| 1926 | 6 | #4136 |
| 1925 | 10 | #2911 |
| 1924 | 6 | #4292 |
| 1922 | 6 | #4256 |
| 1921 | 5 | #4911 |
| 1920 | 6 | #4225 |
| 1919 | 5 | #4729 |
| 1916 | 6 | #3836 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Swanson a boy's or girl's name?
When was Swanson most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1916–1963