Find out how popular the first name Booker has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Booker by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Booker is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 176 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Booker.

The history of the first name Booker

The given name Booker is an English occupational name derived from the Middle English word "boke" or "bok," meaning "book." It originated in England during the Middle Ages, referring to a person who worked as a scribe, book seller, or someone involved in the trade of books.

The earliest recorded use of the name Booker dates back to the 13th century in England. One of the earliest known individuals with this name was John le Bookere, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1275.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Booker. One of the most famous was Booker T. Washington (1856-1915), an influential African American educator, author, and leader who founded the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (now Tuskegee University) in Alabama.

Another well-known figure was Booker Taliaferro Nutter (1905-1983), an American architect and urban planner who served as the first African American member of the American Institute of Architects' Board of Directors.

In the literary world, Booker Prize-winning author Booker T. Bambara (1938-1995) was a prominent figure in the African American literary movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

The name Booker also has religious connections. Booker Taliaferro Washington (1837-1924), an African American Baptist minister and theologian, was a prominent figure in the National Baptist Convention.

Additionally, Booker T. Rice Jr. (1924-2011) was an American Baptist minister and civil rights activist who participated in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr.

It's worth noting that while the name Booker originated as an occupational surname, it later became a popular given name, particularly among African Americans in the United States, likely influenced by the fame and legacy of Booker T. Washington.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Booker was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Booker, please contact us.

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