Meaning: Its source is a Gaelic expression meaning "Hugh's town."

Popularity: The name Houston ranked 869th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 779th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name appears on the 1990 U.S. Census lists, it is used by only a small percentage of the general population.

Narrative: This originated as a surname given to those from a Scottish hamlet.

However, it is very likely given to American children in honor of one of the descendents of those Scotsmen -- Sam Houston (1793-1863). Not only was he the victorious military leader in Texas' war for independence from Mexico, he was the new republic's first president. He worked to get Texas admitted as a U.S. state, and afterward served as one of its first U.S. senators and as governor. The city of Houston, Texas was named in his honor.