Baby Name of the Day: Houston

The baby name Houston started out as a Scottish surname, but today it’s pure Texas swagger.

Thanks to Mer for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

WHAT DOES THE NAME HOUSTON MEAN?

The meaning of this name is both obvious and easy to miss: Hugh’s town.

The name means mind or spirit, from a Germanic root. Medieval parents must’ve loved it. Hugh Capet reigned as King of the Franks in the 900s. During the 12th century, Hugh of Lincoln served as bishop and eventually became venerated as a saint. Dozens of notables answered to the name. 

The specific Houston that most people by the surname reference might be a village in Renfrewshire, Scotland. That’s thanks to the 12th century Anglo-Norman Sir Hugh de Paduinan, who was granted the land during the reign of King Malcolm IV. While he died on Crusade, but his descendants remained installed as local lords until the 18th century.

SAM HOUSTON

Samuel Houston was born in Virginia in 1793 to parents of Scottish and Irish descent.

He moved to Tennessee with his family as a teenager, then joined the military and served in the War of 1812. He later served as the first president of the Republic of Texas and, after it became part of the United States, served as a senator and governor of the Lone Star State. 

Like many 19th century figures in the military and politics, his personal history includes the support of slavery, though he would oppose secession and the state’s decision to join the Confederacy. As a young man, he lived with the Cherokee, learning their language and building close ties, but he supported the removal of indigenous peoples. 

Today the name is less about the historical figure and more about the city.

Established by land investors in 1836, the city was incorporated as Houston a year later. It’s now the 4th largest city in the United States and the largest in Texas. 

MORE FAMOUS FIGURES

Sometimes spelled Huston or Hueston, it’s been a common surname since before Sam first rode west.

The Huston family of actors includes Anjelica. In 1986 she won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Prizzi’s Honor, opposite Jack Nicholson.

The late, legendary Whitney Houston remains one of the most celebrated female artists of all time. 

Worth noting: despite prominent women bearing the surname, this has never become a popular girl’s name, in any spelling.

MEANWHILE IN NEW YORK

It turns out there’s more than one way to pronounce Houston.

In New York City, Houston Street runs the width of Manhattan, separated into east and west sections by Broadway, splitting the East Village from the West and NoHo from SoHo. 

Pronounce it HOW-sten. That’s thanks to William Houstoun, a Georgia lawyer who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and, later, the Constitutional Convention. 

While he represented the American south, this Founding Father married Mary Bayard, of the prominent New York City family. Hence the naming of the New York City street. 

Despite the spelling of his surname, Houstoun is also descended from the same Scottish aristocrats. 

Over time, New York’s -toun became -ton, but the older pronunciation was retained. 

HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME HOUSTON?

The baby name Houston ranks in the US Top 1000 most years from 1880, when data is first reported, through the present day. 

The name left briefly during the 20th century, but it’s never completely fallen out of use. 

As of 2025, it stands at a relatively uncommon #675. This translates to around 400 boys a year receiving the first name. It’s not exactly Liam or even Cole or Hayes, but it’s far from obscurity. 

Huston, on the other hand, was given to just 10 boys in 2025. 

STRENGTH MEETS SOUTHERN CHARM

The baby name Houston reads like a Texas heritage choice, a celebration of the city. It fits right in with boys’ names like Wyatt and Maverick, though in terms of name popularity it lags well behind either choice. 

If you’re looking for a boy’s name with a mix of Western bravado and familiar style, the baby name Houston could be the perfect choice.

What do you think of the name Houston?