Declining since 2014, #560 for boys today.
Popularity of Porter since 1880
Babies named Porter per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 274 |
| 1890s | 269 |
| 1900s | 277 |
| 1910s | 896 |
| 1920s | 982 |
| 1930s | 655 |
| 1940s | 559 |
| 1950s | 473 |
| 1960s | 333 |
| 1970s | 241 |
| 1980s | 257 |
| 1990s | 720 |
| 2000s | 4,017 |
| 2010s | 7,258 |
| 2020s | 3,597 |
Meaning & origin
Porter is an occupational surname turned first name, ranking 560th in the US in 2025. The name peaked in popularity in 2015, with a 1 in 3,217 incidence rate, and has been declining since 2014. It is most common in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Utah. The name originates from the Old French 'portour' and Latin 'portator', meaning a carrier or gatekeeper. While Porter has not seen the same explosive growth as some surname names, it remains a steady choice for parents seeking a sturdy, professional-sounding name, consistent with the style of names like Carter and Cooper.
Porter derives from the Old French 'portour' and Latin 'portator', meaning 'one who carries'. It was used as an occupational surname for someone who carried burdens or served as a gatekeeper. As a given name, it gained popularity in the United States in the late 19th century, following the trend of using surnames as first names.
Where Porter 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: Port
Sibling names for Porter
Names that share Porter's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Harper, Avery, Piper, Emerson, Sawyer, Kamber, Penne, Tymber, Captola, Marly, Porschia
Brothers: Carter, Cooper, Mason, Hunter, Tyler, Braxton, Carver, Colsen, Foster, Kaiden, Shepard, Auden, Brewer, Chancellor, Collier, Newman, Parrish, Truitt, Woodson, Carder, Cotton, Cutler, Fielding, Fuller, Glover, Hoover, Hutton, Sheppard, Brewster, Butler, Fowler, Pace, Redding, Teller, Whittaker, Acre, Brenner, Grainger, Hooper, Joyner, Piercen, Waller
Names like Porter
Names whose popularity has moved with Porter's over the last 50 years.
