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Orson

Boy name · 33 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Orson: 33 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 5 births in 2019.

The name Orson has Latin roots, deriving from the word *ursus* meaning "bear," and was originally a medieval nickname for someone thought to resemble the animal in strength or temperament. Its most famous bearer is the legendary filmmaker Orson Welles, whose groundbreaking work in cinema and radio—most notably *Citizen Kane* and the 1938 *War of the Worlds* broadcast—made the name iconic. Another notable Orson is the American actor Orson Bean, known for his long career on stage and screen. The name shares its etymological root with the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear, which has guided navigators for centuries. A charming variant is the Italian Orsino, which appears in Shakespeare's *Twelfth Night* as the lovelorn Duke, adding a touch of literary romance to this strong, distinctive name.