boy's name
Stetson
STET-son
- Origin English
- Gender Boy
- Syllables 2
- Letters 7
- Popularity Top 1000 (US)
- Births on record 16,051
the United States
#136
2025 births
Stetson is a name of English origin meaning "son of Stephen." It is a patronymic surname, and its use as a first name comes entirely from the hat — named for John B. Stetson, who designed it in 1865.
- Stetson is a name of English origin.
- Peaked in 2025, when 2,699 babies were given the name.
- It has been rising over the past decade.
- Today about 1 in 1,228 babies in the United States is given this name.
- First appears in US birth records in 1930.
- 2 syllables, with the stress on syllable 1.
Stetson over time
Births per decade in the United States, 1930s to 2020s. The striped bar is the 2020s, still in progress — it covers 2020 to 2025, not a full ten years.
Show the numbers
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1980s | 424 |
| 1990s | 1,296 |
| 2000s | 955 |
| 2010s | 2,989 |
| 2020s (to 2025) | 10,056 |
What Stetson means
Stetson means son of Stephen, and Stephen means crown or garland, from the Greek stephanos. The frequently repeated meaning boxer or fighter appears to be an invention with no documentary basis.
Where Stetson comes from
Stetson is an English patronymic from Stephen, itself from the Greek stephanos, a crown or wreath — the name of the first Christian martyr. Its modern life is entirely down to one object: John Batterson Stetson designed the Boss of the Plains hat in 1865, and the Stetson became so identified with the American West that the surname now means the hat before it means anything else. Names taken from a brand are rare, and Stetson is among the clearest examples in current use.
Stetson in use
Our data shows Stetson peaking in 2025 and still rising, and it appears only in United States records — it is the one name we have written up with no England and Wales presence at all. It first appears in our records in 1930, sixty-five years after the hat.
How popular is Stetson?
In 2025, Stetson was given to 2,699 babies in the United States, ranking #136 that year. It is a well-established, commonly used name.
Where Stetson is used
US figures omit any name given to fewer than five babies in a year, so the rarest names are absent from the source rather than absent from use. Data & sources.
Names that peaked alongside Stetson
These names rose and fell in the same era, which is why they tend to sound like they belong together.
Parents who like Stetson also like
Names whose popularity has risen and fallen in step with Stetson over the last century — the same taste, a different name.
Stetson in other languages
The same name as it is spelled elsewhere — not shortenings, and not different names that merely sound alike. Each one has its own record here.
Sibling names for Stetson
Names from the same era that won't rhyme or share an initial with Stetson — the two things that make a sibling set grate.
Common questions about Stetson
What does the name Stetson mean?
Stetson means "son of Stephen," and Stephen means crown, from the Greek stephanos.
Is Stetson named after the hat?
Effectively yes. John B. Stetson designed the hat in 1865, and its fame is why the surname became a first name.
Does Stetson mean fighter?
No. That reading is widely repeated but has no documentary basis — the name is a straightforward patronymic.
How popular is the name Stetson?
In 2025, Stetson was given to 2,699 babies in the United States, ranking #136 that year. It is a well-established, commonly used name.
Is Stetson a girl's or a boy's name?
Stetson is given almost entirely to boys in birth records.
How many syllables are in Stetson?
Stetson has 2 syllables.
When was Stetson most popular?
Stetson peaked in 2025, when 2,699 babies were given the name. It has been rising over the past decade.
Is Stetson a good name?
That is not something records can settle, but they can tell you what you would be choosing. Stetson currently ranks #136 in the United States. It has been rising over the past decade. Everything else — how it sounds with your surname, who it reminds you of — is yours.