Fun Facts About the Name Gershon
- 975 babies named Gershon: U.S. records list 975 babies given the name Gershon from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Gershon Mean?
Gershon is a Hebrew name, written in the Bible as גֵּרְשׁוֹן (Gershon). It is usually explained as "sojourner" or "exile," but the derivation is not fully settled.
One explanation connects it to the Hebrew ger (גֵּר), "sojourner" or "resident alien," with an extended ending, giving a sense such as "sojourner there" or simply "sojourner." A second explanation connects it to the root גרשׁ (garash), "to drive out, to expel," which yields a sense like "expulsion" or "exile." Because the biblical text does not explain the name, the two explanations are both offered and neither is certain.
Gershon is a separate name from Gershom (גֵּרְשֹׁם), the son of Moses, even though both are commonly glossed with the same "sojourner" idea. Gershom's meaning is stated in the text itself (Exodus 2:22, where it is tied to being a stranger in a foreign land), while Gershon's is inferred by later readers.
Gershon Name History & Origins
In the Hebrew Bible, Gershon is the firstborn son of Levi. He is listed among those who went down to Egypt with Jacob (Genesis 46:11) and appears in the genealogies of Exodus 6 and Numbers 3. His descendants, the Gershonites, formed one of the three main Levite clans. In the wilderness camp they were stationed west of the tabernacle (Numbers 3:23), and they were assigned the care of the tabernacle's curtains, coverings, entrance screen, courtyard hangings, and cords (Numbers 3:25 - 26; 4:25 - 26). Gershonites also appear in 1 Chronicles, where they are counted among the Levites organized for service at the sanctuary.
The name passed into Greek as Γηρσών (Gersōn) in the Septuagint and into Latin as Gerson in the Vulgate, which is why Christian traditions sometimes use the form Gerson for the same figure. Jewish communities in Europe and the Middle East continued to use Gershon as a given name in later centuries; one well-known medieval bearer was the father of Levi ben Gershon (1288 - 1344), the Provençal Jewish philosopher and astronomer known as Gersonides, whose byname comes from this name.
How Popular is the Name Gershon?
Gershon has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2025. Its best rank was #2,828 in 1933.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #3,150 | 38 | 0.0022% |
| 2024 | #3,232 | 37 | 0.0022% |
| 2023 | #3,582 | 32 | 0.0019% |
| 2022 | #3,362 | 35 | 0.0020% |
| 2021 | #3,524 | 32 | 0.0018% |
| 2020 | #4,188 | 24 | 0.0014% |
| 2019 | #5,223 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 2018 | #4,517 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 2017 | #4,150 | 25 | 0.0014% |
| 2016 | #3,809 | 28 | 0.0015% |
| 2015 | #4,207 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 2014 | #4,175 | 24 | 0.0012% |
| 2013 | #4,000 | 25 | 0.0013% |
| 2012 | #5,328 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2011 | #5,761 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2010 | #4,034 | 25 | 0.0013% |
| 2009 | #5,901 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2008 | #4,787 | 20 | 0.0010% |
| 2007 | #4,692 | 20 | 0.0010% |
| 2006 | #5,613 | 15 | 0.0007% |
| 2005 | #4,898 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2004 | #4,859 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2003 | #5,657 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2002 | #4,089 | 20 | 0.0010% |
| 2001 | #5,793 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2000 | #6,485 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1999 | #3,891 | 19 | 0.0010% |
| 1998 | #5,251 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1997 | #4,527 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 1996 | #4,702 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1995 | #5,642 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1994 | #5,603 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1993 | #6,421 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1992 | #6,933 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1991 | #3,881 | 15 | 0.0007% |
| 1990 | #4,253 | 13 | 0.0006% |
| 1989 | #7,308 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1988 | #3,999 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1987 | #5,699 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1986 | #3,716 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1985 | #3,270 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1984 | #3,786 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1982 | #4,045 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1981 | #3,095 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1980 | #5,134 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1979 | #3,235 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1978 | #3,966 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1977 | #4,773 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1976 | #3,572 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1974 | #3,015 | 12 | 0.0008% |
| 1973 | #3,538 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1972 | #5,248 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1969 | #4,626 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1968 | #3,864 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1967 | #4,186 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1962 | #3,426 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1959 | #3,746 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1956 | #3,325 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1955 | #3,653 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1950 | #3,458 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1947 | #3,941 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1939 | #3,681 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1938 | #3,725 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1935 | #3,401 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1934 | #3,884 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1933 | #2,828 | 8 | 0.0008% |
| 1927 | #4,421 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1926 | #4,453 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1922 | #4,556 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1918 | #3,493 | 7 | 0.0007% |
| 1917 | #4,210 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1915 | #3,203 | 7 | 0.0008% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Gershon Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are introspective, prophetic, philosophical, and soul searching, but also can be analytical, critical and opinionated. You think deeply and clearly, have an air of mystery, can be solitary and secretive. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Gershon's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Gershon's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.