UK boy's name
Henson
An English surname derived from the medieval given name Hende, meaning "courteous, gentle".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Henson is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Henson popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3990, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 7 births.
This profile covers 47 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 2011 to 2021. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 57% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 47 living people in the UK are called Henson. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Henson ranked #3990 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 7 boys were registered as Henson.
- • About 47 living people in the UK are estimated to have Henson as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3990
2021
Births in 2021
4
Latest year
Peak year
2011
7 births
Estimated living
47
2026
Meaning
What does Henson mean?
The name Henson has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the words "henn" meaning "chicken" and "son" meaning "son of." It is believed to have originated as an occupational surname in the Middle Ages, referring to someone who raised or traded in poultry, particularly chickens.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Henson can be found in the Domesday Book, a survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Hennesone" and "Hennisun," indicating its widespread use at the time.
In the 13th century, the name Henson gained prominence with the birth of Henson de Longo Campo, a notable English scholar and clergyman who served as the Chancellor of the University of Oxford from 1244 to 1245.
During the Renaissance period, the name Henson was associated with several accomplished individuals. One notable figure was John Henson (c. 1480-1554), an English Protestant reformer and martyr who was burned at the stake for his religious beliefs during the reign of Queen Mary I.
In the 17th century, the name Henson was borne by Richard Henson (1614-1681), an English mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and the calculation of planetary orbits.
The 19th century saw the rise of several influential figures with the name Henson. Among them was Matthew Henson (1866-1955), an African American explorer who accompanied Robert Peary on several expeditions to the Arctic and is credited as being one of the first people to reach the geographic North Pole in 1909.
Another notable Henson from this era was Jim Henson (1936-1990), the acclaimed American puppeteer, filmmaker, and creator of the beloved Muppets characters. His work revolutionized the art of puppetry and brought joy to millions of children and adults alike.
While the name Henson has its roots in occupational origins, it has evolved over the centuries to become a celebrated name associated with various fields, including exploration, religion, science, and entertainment. Its enduring legacy serves as a testament to the rich tapestry of human history and achievement.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Henson over time
The chart below shows babies named Henson registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2011 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Henson, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2021, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Henson by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Henson was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3336 | 11 | 2 |
| 2010s | #3896 | 36 | 8 |
Related
Names similar to Henson
- Harry 141,693
- Henry 65,177
- Harrison 45,958
- Harvey 35,648
- Harley 22,095
- Hugo 18,779
- Hayden 12,622
- Hunter 10,350
- Hudson 9,104
- Hamza 8,564
- Hassan 5,982
- Hasan 3,599
FAQ
Henson: questions and answers
How popular is the name Henson in the UK right now?
In 2021, Henson was ranked #3990 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Henson most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 7 babies registered as Henson in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Henson?
An English surname derived from the medieval given name Hende, meaning "courteous, gentle".
How many people are called Henson in the UK?
A total of 47 babies have been registered as Henson across the 10 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.