Holding steady.
Popularity of Gar since 1920
Babies named Gar per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 25 |
| 1940s | 23 |
| 1950s | 84 |
| 1960s | 61 |
| 1970s | 11 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Gar is a rare masculine name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1920, though it has never ranked among the top 1000 names nationally. Its peak usage occurred in 1958, after which it remained stable at extremely low levels. The name is often considered a short form of Gary or Garrett, both of which have Germanic roots meaning 'spear'. Because of its brevity and similarity to other short names like Jan and Ray, Gar fits a pattern of clipped masculine names from the mid-20th century. It has not seen a revival in recent years and remains a distinctive choice. No top states are associated with the name.
Gar is primarily a diminutive of Gary, which itself is a short form of Garrett (originally from the Norman French name Gerard, derived from Germanic 'ger' meaning 'spear'). It also appears as an independent given name, possibly inspired by the same Germanic root. The name saw modest use in the early 20th century, peaking in the 1950s, but never reached widespread popularity.
Sibling names for Gar
Names that share Gar's style, for a brother or sister.
