Declining since 1999, #1,753 for boys today.
Popularity of Garrison since 1912
Babies named Garrison per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 63 |
| 1920s | 88 |
| 1930s | 83 |
| 1940s | 109 |
| 1950s | 180 |
| 1960s | 168 |
| 1970s | 244 |
| 1980s | 638 |
| 1990s | 2,003 |
| 2000s | 2,412 |
| 2010s | 1,807 |
| 2020s | 714 |
Meaning & origin
Garrison is an English surname turned given name, derived from a word for a military garrison. It first appeared on the U.S. baby name charts in 1912 but remained obscure for decades, experiencing a notable rise in popularity from the 1980s onward. The name reached its peak rank of XYZ in 1999 (its peak year) when approximately 1 in every N boys were named Garrison. Since 1999, however, its usage has been in steady decline. As of 2025, it ranks 1753, with about 1 in every 18566 boys receiving the name. The name has been most popular in Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan. Garrison fits the pattern of occupational and place names that have become trendy for boys, offering a strong, modern feel without being overly common.
Garrison derives from the Old French term 'garison,' meaning a provision or defense. It entered Middle English in the 14th century as 'garisoun,' referring to a store or protection, and later specialized to mean a fortified military post. As a surname, it denoted someone living near or working at a garrison, and its adoption as a given name follows the English tradition of using occupational and place names.
Where Garrison is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gary, Garry, Sonny
Sibling names for Garrison
Names that share Garrison's style, for a brother or sister.
