Tennyson
2025 SSA
2025 SSA
About Tennyson
Few people would have considered the surname of this famous Victorian poet as a first name until Russell Crowe chose it for his son in 2006. But, as a rhythmic three-syllable patronymic, Tennyson has a lot going for it, not least of all the appealing nickname Tenny.
Tennyson for boys#4521 US
Derived from a medieval diminutive of Dennis, ultimately tying it to the Greek god of wine and revelry, Tennyson could equally make a novel choice for anyone trying to honor a Denise or Dennis. First appearing in the US stats back in thr 1910s, a recent year saw it chosen for more than 20 boys (and 8 girls), though its peak was back in 2014, when 48 boys were called Tennsyon.
Other options if you want a literary choice: the poet's first name, Alfred, or the name of another esteemed bard, such as Eliot, Poe, Byron, Lowell or Lorca. Alternatives if you're looking to honor a Dennis: Tenny, Dion, Donovan,
Tennyson for girls#11833 US
A surname with gravitas yet approachability, Tennyson was chosen by actor Russell Crowe for his son back in 2006, and has since been given to babies in small but more notable numbers. Associated with the Victorian Poet Laureate, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, it entered the stats for girls in 2003, peaked in 2016 when it was given to 37, and was chosen for 8 in a more recent year.
It could make an unexpected honor for a Denis or a Denise
Pronounced TEN-uh-sun.
As of October 2026, Tennyson ranked #4521 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #2293 in 1915.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #2,578 | 48 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #2,675 | 46 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #3,353 | 34 | #4,071 | 37 |
| 2017 | #3,189 | 37 | #3,620 | 43 |
| 2018 | #2,788 | 44 | #4,994 | 27 |
| 2019 | #2,892 | 43 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #3,261 | 35 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | #4,348 | 24 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | #3,682 | 31 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | #4,868 | 21 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | #3,872 | 29 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | #4,521 | 23 | — | 0 |
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Tennyson.
Tennyson on lists
Famous Tennysons
- Lord Alfred TennysonBoy
famous poet
- Tennyson Spencer Crowe (2006Boy
), son of actor Russell Crowe
- Alfred D'Orsay Tennyson Dickens (1845Boy
1912), fourth son of Charles Dickens
- F[ryniwyd] Tennyson Jesse (1888Boy
1958), writer and criminologist
Tennyson in pop culture
- Benjamin "Ben" TennysonBoy
main character in Cartoon Network's "Ben 10" series and movies.