A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Gardner since 1880
Babies named Gardner per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 39 |
| 1890s | 25 |
| 1900s | 69 |
| 1910s | 426 |
| 1920s | 481 |
| 1930s | 333 |
| 1940s | 325 |
| 1950s | 234 |
| 1960s | 344 |
| 1970s | 165 |
| 1980s | 135 |
| 1990s | 112 |
| 2000s | 118 |
| 2010s | 115 |
| 2020s | 95 |
Meaning & origin
Gardner is an English occupational surname turned given name, deriving from the Middle English word for a gardener. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1880 and reached its peak popularity in 1910. After a long decline, the name has been rising since 2015, reflecting a revival of vintage occupational names. Though it never ranked among the top names nationally, its steady if modest use over the past century gives it a familiar but uncommon feel.
Gardner is an occupational surname derived from the Middle English 'gardinier', meaning one who works in a garden. It became used as a given name in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States, where it peaked in popularity around 1910.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gard
Variants: Gardener
Sibling names for Gardner
Names that share Gardner's style, for a brother or sister.
