Nelson

boyEnglish

Nelson is an boy name of English origin, meaning “Son of Neil”.

MeaningSon of Neil
GenderBoy
OriginEnglish
PronunciationNEL-sun
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited States, United Kingdom, Brazil, South Africa

Meaning and origin of Nelson

Nelson is an English surname meaning 'son of Neil' or, in some cases, 'son of Nell'. Neil itself comes from Gaelic Niall, often explained as 'champion' or 'cloud', with the meaning debated. Admiral Horatio Nelson made the surname famous, and it became a first name in his honour. Nelson Mandela, whose teacher gave him the name, made it known worldwide.

Is Nelson a religious name?

Nelson has no religious background; it is a surname-derived first name.

How popular is Nelson?

Used in English- and Portuguese-speaking countries, steadily but not commonly.

Gifts with the name Nelson

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Spellings and variants of Nelson

NilssonNielsen

Names similar to Nelson

NeilWilsonCarsonWinston

More boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Nelson mean?

Nelson means 'Son of Neil'. It is of English origin.

Does Nelson have a religious meaning?

Nelson has no religious background; it is a surname-derived first name.

How do you pronounce Nelson?

Nelson is pronounced NEL-sun.

Is Nelson a boy or girl name?

Nelson is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.