Boy · 41st of 24,088
Hunter
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
273,451
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2000
Peak Popularity Year
13,252
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Hunter 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 Hunter originates from Old English, meaning 'one who hunts.' It evolved from 'Hunta' in Old English to its current form in Modern English. The name is associated with strength and adventure. There are no biblical references connected to it. Hunter gained popularity in the 19th century and is widely recognized today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈhʌntər/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Hunter derives from the Old English word 'hunta,' which means 'one who hunts.' It was originally a surname for someone who hunted animals for food or sport.
Meaning
one who hunts
Language Evolution
Old English: Hunta, Middle English: Hunter, Modern English: Hunter
Historical Usage
Hunter gained popularity as a given name in the 19th century and became more common in the United States during the late 20th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Hunt, Huntington
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Hunter is perceived as a strong and adventurous name, often associated with outdoor activities and a rugged lifestyle.
Famous People
Hunter S. Thompson - American journalist and author, Hunter Hayes - American country music singer, Hunter Biden - American lawyer and son of President Joe Biden
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 13,252 peak births in 2000
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 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 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 859th of 7545 | 992 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1018th of 6773 | 751 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 953rd of 7552 | 1,164 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 758th of 10718 | 1,861 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 139th of 16616 | 35,188 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 41st of 24088 | 148,588 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 59th of 23106 | 70,654 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7673rd of 9107 | 11 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 12526th of 12526 | 5 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 8765th of 19264 | 62 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 896th of 27321 | 3,219 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 664th of 35406 | 6,721 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 809th of 30306 | 4,038 |