Mason is a masculine given name of English origin. It is derived from the occupational surname Mason, which was originally given to a person who worked with stone or brick as their profession. The name Mason means "stoneworker" or "bricklayer."
The use of Mason as a given name is a relatively recent phenomenon. While it has been used as a surname for centuries, it did not become popular as a first name until the latter half of the 20th century. Today, Mason is a popular choice among parents looking for a strong and masculine-sounding name for their sons.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the name Mason. One of the most famous was James Mason (1909-1984), an English actor who appeared in numerous films throughout his career. Another notable figure is Charles Mason (1728-1786), a British astronomer and surveyor who played a significant role in determining the official boundaries between several states in the United States.
In popular culture, the name Mason has been used in various forms of media. For example, it was the name of a main character in the television series "Boy Meets World" (1993-2000), and it is also the name of one of the protagonists in the film "The Butterfly Effect" (2004).
The name Mason has been a popular choice among parents in the United States over the past century and a half, with its popularity fluctuating over time.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of babies named Mason remained relatively low but steady. Between 1880 and 1936, there were fewer than 100 births per year for this name, with the exception of a peak in 1912 when there were 58 births.
However, starting in the mid-20th century, the popularity of the name Mason began to increase significantly. Between 1954 and 1967, the number of babies named Mason doubled from 70 to 156 births per year.
The real boom in popularity for the name Mason occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1985, there were only 455 babies named Mason, but by 1991, that number had jumped to 2035 births. This trend continued into the new millennium, with the number of babies named Mason reaching an all-time high of 19,524 in 2011.
However, since then, the popularity of the name Mason has begun to decline slightly. In 2022, there were 7,237 births for this name, down from a peak of nearly 20,000 in 2011.
Overall, the name Mason has seen significant fluctuations in popularity over time, with periods of low and high demand among parents. Despite recent declines, it remains one of the most popular boys' names in the United States today.