Declining since 2014, #506 for boys today.
Popularity of Gunner since 1970
Babies named Gunner per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 37 |
| 1980s | 97 |
| 1990s | 1,513 |
| 2000s | 4,150 |
| 2010s | 12,868 |
| 2020s | 4,821 |
Meaning & origin
Gunner entered U.S. naming records in 1970 and rose sharply in popularity, reaching its peak rank of 95th in 2015. Since 2014 the name has been falling in use, dropping to 506th in 2025, with about 1 in 2,861 boys receiving the name. Its strongest popularity is in southern states like Arkansas, West Virginia, and Mississippi. Gunner started as an English occupational surname for a cannon operator but also reflects the Scandinavian name Gunnar. The modern trend of surname-names and the appeal of strong, action-oriented sounds have kept it in steady, if declining, use.
Gunner originated as an English occupational surname for a person who operated a cannon or firearm, derived from the Middle English 'gonner'. It also developed as a given name in the United States, partly as a transferred use of the surname and partly as a variant of the Scandinavian name Gunnar, which means 'warrior' or 'battle'. The name gained popularity in the late 20th century, especially in the American South.
Where Gunner 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: Gunny, Gun
Sibling names for Gunner
Names that share Gunner's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Gunner
Names whose popularity has moved with Gunner's over the last 50 years.
