Carson is an American given name of Scottish origin, derived from the surname Carse, meaning 'fortified place'. Traditionally a male name, it has also been used for females in recent years. It gained popularity as a boy's name in the late 20th and early 21st centuries in the U.S., with notable bearers including Carson Palmer and James Mattis. The name has also been used as a surname by families like the Carsons of Virginia during America's colonial period.