Peterson/Petersen is a Scandinavian patronymic surname that means "son of Peter," derived from the Greek πέτρος (petros), meaning "rock" or "stone." It has been a popular name choice throughout history due to the Christian apostle Peter. The surname is most commonly found in European countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland, and Brussels. There are approximately 700 variant spellings of the surname, and the form Peterson may have arisen from Danish Pedersen or Petersen with a change of spelling commonly applied by Danish immigrants to English-speaking countries. Notable individuals with this surname include Adrian Peterson and Adrian N. Peterson, American football running backs; Amanda Peterson, American actress; Charles Peterson, Christine Peterson, and Clark Peterson, among others. The surname Peterson is native to Sweden, making it the correct spelling from that country.

Peterson Joseph, born on April 24, 1990, is a renowned Haitian professional footballer celebrated for his exceptional ball handling and quick one to two touch passes, earning him the nickname "Haitian Xavi". His career began at Haitian League side Aigle Noir AC before making the leap to European football with Portuguese side SC Braga. During his time at Braga, Joseph had a successful loan spell at FC Vizela and was part of the team that reached the final of the UEFA Europa League. In 2011, he joined Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City, where he contributed to the team's victory in the U.S. Open Cup in 2012 and the MLS Championship in 2013. After his stint in the U.S., Joseph ventured to international clubs before joining Pèlerin FC in 2021. On the international stage, he represented Haiti in various tournaments, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifier, Caribbean Cup 2012, Gold Cup 2013, and several friendly matches. Peterson Joseph's impressive career and contributions to both club and country have solidified his status as a revered figure in the world of football.