Hudson

Hudson is an English surname meaning "son of Hudd," where Hudd was a medieval nickname for Hugh — from Old High German Hugo meaning "mind" or "spirit." As a given name, Hudson carries the full weight of American geography: Henry Hudson's explorations of the river and bay that bear his name became foundational moments in American colonial history, and the name now carries that expansive, exploratory spirit.

Hudson holds the #97 spot among US pet names, with over 1,000 companions sharing it. The name has a strong, geographic quality — the feel of open water and broad horizons. It suits companions who are active and forward-moving, those who prefer to explore rather than stay put and who approach new environments with confident curiosity. Hudson has been part of a broader trend toward place-name and surname-style pet names, and it holds its own comfortably among the best of that category.