Holding steady, #5,399 for boys today.
Popularity of Sumner since 1880
Babies named Sumner per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Sumner's real moment was 1883.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 77 |
| 1890s | 0 | 43 |
| 1900s | 0 | 50 |
| 1910s | 0 | 339 |
| 1920s | 0 | 570 |
| 1930s | 0 | 269 |
| 1940s | 0 | 218 |
| 1950s | 0 | 122 |
| 1960s | 0 | 67 |
| 1970s | 6 | 46 |
| 1980s | 33 | 70 |
| 1990s | 73 | 200 |
| 2000s | 59 | 170 |
| 2010s | 24 | 125 |
| 2020s | 23 | 78 |
Meaning & origin
Sumner is an occupational surname turned given name meaning 'one who summons.' First recorded in the U.S. in 1880, it saw its peak popularity in 1883, when it was used more frequently, though still modestly. By 2025, the name had become quite rare, with approximately 1 in 100,475 newborns receiving it. Its trajectory has been stable over the decades, never experiencing a dramatic rise or fall. The name has no strong association with any particular state or region. Sumner carries a quiet, distinguished feel, evoking a sense of legal or civic duty, and appeals to parents seeking a surname-style name with historical depth.
Sumner is an occupational surname of English origin, derived from Middle English 'somner,' itself from Old French 'somoner,' meaning 'one who summons.' It referred to a legal officer who served summonses and citations. The name transitioned into occasional use as a given name by the 19th century, particularly in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sum
Variants: Sumner
Sibling names for Sumner
Names that share Sumner's style, for a brother or sister.
