A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Sommer since 1966
Babies named Sommer per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 12 |
| 1970s | 1,452 |
| 1980s | 1,549 |
| 1990s | 1,466 |
| 2000s | 1,038 |
| 2010s | 363 |
| 2020s | 200 |
Meaning & origin
Sommer first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1966, a variant spelling of Summer that caught on during the nature-name boom of the 1970s. Its peak came in 1977, when it was most frequently recorded. After a period of decline, the name has been rising again since 2016, and in 2025 it ranked 4,878th, with about 1 in every 59,528 newborns receiving the name. The variant is especially concentrated in Georgia, where it appears among the top state-specific rankings. The name's trajectory reflects a broader revival of seasonal and nature-inspired names in recent decades.
Sommer is a variant spelling of Summer, derived from the Old English sumor, referring to the warm season between spring and autumn. The name Summer came into use as a given name in the 1960s and 1970s, part of a trend toward nature-themed names. Sommer is a modern respelling that gained modest popularity in the United States, peaking in the 1970s.
Where Sommer is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls 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: Som, Somi
Sibling names for Sommer
Names that share Sommer's style, for a brother or sister.
