Boy · 465th of 23,106
Gunnar
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
17,715
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2015
Peak Popularity Year
830
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Gunnar stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Gunnar is an Old Norse name that means 'warrior' or 'battle army'. It evolved from Gunnarr in Old Norse to its modern forms in Scandinavian languages. The name is associated with strength and valor, and has no biblical relevance. It gained popularity during the Viking Age and saw a resurgence in the 19th century.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɡʊn.ɑːr/
Origin
Old Norse
Etymology
The name Gunnar is derived from the Old Norse elements 'gunnr', meaning 'battle', and 'arr', meaning 'army'. It essentially translates to 'warrior' or 'battle army'.
Meaning
warrior, battle army
Language Evolution
Gunnarr (Old Norse), Gunnar (Modern Scandinavian languages), Gunnar (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Gunnar has been used in Scandinavian countries since the Viking Age and gained popularity in the 19th century due to a revival of interest in Old Norse culture.
Variants & Derivatives
Gunnarr, Gunar, Gunn, Gunny
Modern Popularity & Image
Gunnar is perceived as a strong and traditional name, often associated with traits of bravery and resilience.
Famous People
Gunnar Nelson, Icelandic mixed martial artist, Gunnar Myrdal, Swedish economist and sociologist, Gunnar Hansen, Icelandic-American actor
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 830 peak births in 2015
Geographic Spread
Popular across 49 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1861st of 7545 | 282 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2321st of 6773 | 190 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1850th of 7552 | 345 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1950th of 10718 | 358 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 910th of 16616 | 1,911 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 555th of 24088 | 6,977 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 465th of 23106 | 7,625 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 33240th of 35406 | 6 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 22988th of 30306 | 16 |