Declining since 2005, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Tamer since 1972
Babies named Tamer per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 96 |
| 1980s | 151 |
| 1990s | 203 |
| 2000s | 214 |
| 2010s | 108 |
| 2020s | 27 |
Meaning & origin
Tamer entered U.S. naming records in 1972, a relatively late debut compared to many traditional names. Its peak popularity occurred in 2004, after which it has seen a steady decline, reflecting a falling trajectory since 2005. The name remains rare, with a 2025 rank of 10,695 and a frequency of 1 in every 284,679 births. While not consistently ranked among the top 1,000 names, Tamer has maintained a quiet presence, likely influenced by Arabic and Turkish cultural communities. Its top states of usage are not concentrated, suggesting a dispersed but modest appeal across the country.
Tamer is an Arabic name derived from the root "t-m-r," associated with dates (the fruit). It can be a variant of Tamir, meaning "one who owns or sells dates" or "date palm tree." Alternatively, it may be related to the Turkish word "tamer," meaning "strong" or "brave." The name has been used in Turkish and Arabic-speaking cultures, though its exact derivation is sometimes debated. It gained some use in the United States starting in the 1970s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tam
Sibling names for Tamer
Names that share Tamer's style, for a brother or sister.
