Boy’s name · English, Scottish

Houston

How to say it: HYOO-stun · /ˈhjustən/

From a Scottish surname meaning settlement of Hugh, from Old English 'Hugh' + 'tun'. Strongly tied to the Texas city.

Houston was the 636th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 402 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1900s, its births are up about 51% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #587 by 2030.

Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures

#636for boys in 2025
1 in 8,247US babies
402born in 2025
#587projected for 2030
1900sits peak decade
under 1 in 200chance a classmate shares it

Key facts

Key facts about Houston
Rank among boys’ names, 2025#636
Babies born in 2025402
Share of births1 in 8,247
Peak decade1900s
Change over 10 years+51%
Projected rank for 2030 (estimate)#587

Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.

Its life, decade by decade

After nearly fading out around the 1970s, Houston returned to stand close to its 1900s high. Momentum points upward from here.

1900195020002020–25
Peak: 226 per million births, 1900s.

What goes with it

Broad and breathy in two syllables spoken HYOO stun, Houston feels strong and carries a place name theme. Dallas shares its style.

Nicknames

  • Hous
  • Hugh

Honouring a Houston in the family

In the classroom

In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Houston is about under 1 in 200.

Around the world

This spelling is used in English.

Famous people named Houston

From Wikidata and Wikipedia

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