UK boy's name
Son
A masculine given name of Korean origin meaning "good, handsome".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2005. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Son is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Son popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2005 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3849, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1997 to 2005. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Son. 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 2006 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Son ranked #3849 for boys in England and Wales in 2005, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 3 boys were registered as Son.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Son as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3849
2005
Births in 2005
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Son mean?
The name Son has its origins in the Vietnamese language and culture, derived from the word "con," which means "child" or "offspring." It is a timeless name that carries a simple yet profound meaning, reflecting the strong familial bonds and respect for lineage in Vietnamese society.
Son was not uncommon in ancient Vietnam, where family structures and generational ties held great significance. The name can be traced back to ancient Vietnamese texts and historical records, although the exact time period of its earliest usage is difficult to pinpoint due to the scarcity of written records from that era.
In Vietnamese mythology and folklore, Son is sometimes associated with stories and legends that celebrate the virtues of filial piety, reverence for ancestors, and the importance of carrying on the family legacy. While not explicitly mentioned in religious scriptures, the name's meaning aligns with the cultural values of harmony, respect, and continuity.
Some notable historical figures who bore the name Son include:
1. Son Tra (1144-1200), a renowned Vietnamese military leader and strategist during the Ly Dynasty, renowned for his victories against the Champa and Khmer empires. 2. Son Tung Mat (1638-1700), a prominent Vietnamese poet and scholar during the Later Le Dynasty, known for his contributions to the development of the Chu Nom script. 3. Son Tay (1748-1825), a Vietnamese general and military leader who led successful campaigns against the Siamese invaders during the Tay Son Uprising. 4. Son Nam Dinh (1818-1890), a Vietnamese prince and military commander who played a crucial role in the resistance against French colonization in the 19th century. 5. Son Phuoc Thuan (1870-1924), a Vietnamese scholar and reformer who advocated for modernization and educational reforms during the French colonial period.
While these historical figures may not be widely recognized outside of Vietnam, their names and deeds have left an indelible mark on the nation's history and cultural heritage.
The name Son continues to be a popular choice among Vietnamese families, carrying with it a deep-rooted cultural meaning and connection to the country's rich history and traditions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Son over time
The chart below shows babies named Son registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2005. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Son, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2005, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Son by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Son 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3849 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2859 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Son
- Samuel 108,505
- Sebastian 33,008
- Sam 20,889
- Stanley 16,354
- Sonny 15,028
- Sean 15,006
- Scott 12,587
- Seth 9,841
- Syed 9,050
- Stephen 8,884
- Spencer 8,333
- Steven 6,970
FAQ
Son: questions and answers
How popular is the name Son in the UK right now?
In 2005, Son was ranked #3849 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Son most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 3 babies registered as Son in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Son?
A masculine given name of Korean origin meaning "good, handsome".
How many people are called Son in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Son across the 2 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.