Addison, also known as Addy, is a name of English origin. It was originally used as both a given name and surname. The name comes from the Old English words "æð" meaning "noble" or "rich" and "ing" which indicates that it was a place name.
The name Addison gained popularity in the United States during the 19th century, particularly among Quaker families who often used traditional English names. It became even more popular after it was used by president Thomas Jefferson for one of his grandchildren.
Addison is also associated with several notable figures throughout history. The poet Henry James Richardson was known by his middle name Addison, and the American statesman and writer Joseph Addison is another famous bearer of this name.
In literature, Addison has been used as a character name in works such as "The Addams Family" by Charles Addams and "Addison DeWitt" in Tennessee Williams' play "Sweet Bird of Youth".
Despite its traditional English origins, Addison has become increasingly popular around the world in recent years. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Addison was one of the top 100 boys' names between 2000 and 2019.
In summary, Addison is a name of English origin that comes from an Old English place name. It has been used as both a given name and surname throughout history and is associated with several notable figures in literature, politics, and culture. Despite its traditional roots, Addison remains popular today as a unisex name around the world.
Addy has seen a resurgence in popularity since the turn of the century, with a notable increase in babies named Addy from 2009 to 2015.