Boy · 101st of 7,545
Homer
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
61,258
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1920
Peak Popularity Year
1,734
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Homer 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
The name Homer originates from Greek, meaning 'hostage' or 'pledge'. It evolved from 'Homeros' in Ancient Greek to 'Homerus' in Latin. The name is strongly associated with the ancient poet Homer, who is a central figure in classical literature. Although it has biblical relevance, there are no direct biblical connections. The name gained popularity due to its literary significance and remains a symbol of cultural heritage.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈhoʊmər/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name 'Homer' is believed to derive from the Greek word 'homeros', which means 'hostage' or 'pledge'. This is significant in the context of ancient Greek literature, particularly related to the poet traditionally attributed to the epic poems 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey'.
Meaning
hostage, pledge
Language Evolution
Homeros (Ancient Greek), Homerus (Latin)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity due to its association with the legendary Greek poet from the 8th century BCE, whose works have had a profound influence on Western literature.
Variants & Derivatives
Homeros, Omar
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Homer is often associated with literature and intellect, but it is also recognized through popular culture references, such as the character Homer Simpson from 'The Simpsons', which has contributed to a more humorous and lighthearted perception.
Famous People
Homer (ancient Greek poet), Homer Simpson (fictional character)
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
Highly Popular name with 1,734 peak births in 1920
Geographic Spread
Popular across 48 US states, with strongest presence in West Virginia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 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 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 101st of 7545 | 26,679 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 170th of 6773 | 16,453 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 352nd of 7552 | 8,527 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 665th of 10718 | 2,427 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1437th of 16616 | 915 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3907th of 24088 | 367 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3741st of 23106 | 347 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2622nd of 9107 | 207 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3586th of 9204 | 119 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 8600th of 12526 | 26 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 19264th of 19264 | 5 |