Garrison first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Garrison has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Garrison

A masculine name derived from the French "garrison", meaning "fort or stronghold".

Popularity of Garrison by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Garrison is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Garrison being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 91 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Garrison.

YearMale CountFemale Count
2024910
20231040
20221350
20211480
20201380
20191730
20181480
20171690
20161700
20151930
20142060
20132100
20122010
20111510
20101850
20092100
20081870
20072250
20062170
20052290
20042530
20032860
20022830
20012540
20002680
19993530
19982680
19971920
19961990
19951720
19941860
19932295
19921400
19911470
19901170
19891090
19881130
1987770
1986950
1985530
1984510
1983330
1982390
1981340
1980330
1979340
1978260
1977240
1976230
1975170

The history of the first name Garrison

The name Garrison has its origins in the English language, derived from the Old French word "garir," meaning "to protect" or "to defend." It is closely related to the English word "garrison," which refers to a group of soldiers stationed in a particular place to guard or defend it.

The earliest recorded use of the name Garrison dates back to the 13th century, when it was used as a surname for individuals who lived near or worked in a military garrison or fortress. Over time, the name transitioned from a surname to a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Garrison was Garrison Frazier, an English soldier who served during the War of the Roses in the 15th century. Another notable figure was Garrison Keillor, an American author, storyteller, and humorist, born in 1942, best known for his radio show "A Prairie Home Companion."

In the realm of literature, the name Garrison appears in several works, including the novel "The Garrison Runner" by Denzel Jones, published in 2015, which tells the story of a young man's journey through the challenges of life in a modern military garrison.

Throughout history, the name Garrison has been associated with a sense of protection, strength, and resilience, reflecting the military connotations of its origins. Some other notable individuals who bore this name include Garrison Courtney, an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Tennessee in the late 19th century, and Garrison Somers, a British explorer and naturalist who documented his travels in the 18th century.

Garrison Wynn, born in 1964, is a contemporary American author and motivational speaker known for his work on leadership and personal development. Additionally, Garrison Rochelle was a prominent African American civil rights activist and community leader in the mid-20th century, known for his efforts in promoting equal rights and social justice.

Through its historical and literary references, the name Garrison has maintained a strong connection to its origins, evoking a sense of protection, defense, and resilience, while also being associated with individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields throughout the ages.

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 Garrison was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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