UK boy's name
Kelson
A masculine name of uncertain origin, possibly a variant of Charles.
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.
Kelson is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kelson 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 2009, with 8 births.
This profile covers 73 England and Wales registrations across 16 recorded years from 1997 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 72 living people in the UK are called Kelson. 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
- • Kelson ranked #3990 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 8 boys were registered as Kelson.
- • About 72 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kelson 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
2009
8 births
Estimated living
72
2026
Meaning
What does Kelson mean?
The name Kelson is of English origin, derived from the combination of the Old English words "cel" meaning "spring" or "well," and "sun," which refers to the celestial body. This amalgamation suggests a connection with a natural water source or a place name associated with a spring or well.
The earliest recorded use of the name Kelson dates back to the 12th century in England, where it was primarily used as a surname. One of the earliest known individuals bearing this name was Kelson de Halton, a landowner mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire in 1166.
In the 14th century, the name gained popularity as a given name, particularly in the northern regions of England. It is believed that the name was adopted by families living near natural springs or wells, reflecting their geographic location.
The name Kelson has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the most prominent was Kelson Whitworth (1579-1647), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Stafford during the reign of King Charles I.
Another individual of note was Kelson Meredith (1672-1739), a Welsh clergyman and author who published several religious works, including "A Treatise on the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper" in 1705.
In the 19th century, Kelson Beresford (1811-1889) was a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Crimean War and later became an admiral.
The name also found its way into literature, with Kelson being the name of a protagonist in the popular fantasy novel series "The Chronicles of Prydain" by Lloyd Alexander, published between 1964 and 1968.
Lastly, Kelson Shears (1942-2021) was a Canadian artist and painter known for his abstract expressionist works, which were exhibited in galleries across North America.
While the name Kelson is not as widely used today as it once was, it carries a rich historical significance, reflecting its origins in England and its association with natural water sources and notable figures throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kelson over time
The chart below shows babies named Kelson registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 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 Kelson, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2021, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kelson by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kelson 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 | #3990 | 4 | 1 |
| 2010s | #3900 | 25 | 6 |
| 2000s | #2822 | 41 | 8 |
| 1990s | #2859 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Kelson
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Kelson: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kelson in the UK right now?
In 2021, Kelson was ranked #3990 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Kelson most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 8 babies registered as Kelson in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kelson?
A masculine name of uncertain origin, possibly a variant of Charles.
How many people are called Kelson in the UK?
A total of 73 babies have been registered as Kelson across the 16 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.