A 1920s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Fowler since 1915
Babies named Fowler per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 45 |
| 1920s | 75 |
| 1930s | 34 |
| 1940s | 15 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 44 |
| 2020s | 66 |
Meaning & origin
Fowler is an English occupational surname turned given name, meaning 'bird catcher.' It was first recorded as a first name in the United States in 1915, and its peak year came early: 1922, when it ranked highest in usage. After a long period of obscurity, Fowler began rising again in 2013, reflecting a broader trend of surname-as-first-name choices. Despite the revival, it remains exceptionally rare: in 2025, only about 1 in 155,280 boys received the name, placing it at rank 7,194. The name fits a modern style of occupational names like Fletcher and Archer, appealing to parents who want a distinctive yet familiar-sounding choice with English heritage.
Fowler is an English occupational surname derived from the Old English 'fugelere,' meaning 'bird catcher' or 'fowler.' The name originated as a trade name for someone who hunted wild birds for food or sport. As a given name, it was rarely used before the 20th century, but saw some adoption in the United States in the early 1900s, likely as a transferred use of the surname.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Fowlar
Sibling names for Fowler
Names that share Fowler's style, for a brother or sister.
