Orson
/ˈɔːr.sən/noun
A masculine given name of French origin, traditionally interpreted as meaning “bear cub.”
Did you know?Orson ultimately connects to the ancient Indo-European word for bear, whose descendants also named the celestial bears Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂ŕ̥tḱos
“Bear”
Ancient Greek
Greek
árktos
“Bear; the source of names associated with the northern constellations”
Classical Latin
Latin
ursus
“Bear”
Old French
Old French
ors / ours
“Bear”
Medieval French
Anglo-Norman
Orson
“A diminutive or personal name meaning “little bear” or “bear cub””
Modern English
English
Orson
“A masculine given name”