Find out how popular the first name Gunter has been for the last 42 years (from 1983 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gunter by gender

Based on the last 42 years of data, Gunter is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Gunter.

The history of the first name Gunter

Gunter is a masculine given name of German origin, derived from the Old German words "gund" meaning "battle" and "her" meaning "army" or "warrior." It first emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 5th to 9th centuries AD, in various regions of modern-day Germany and surrounding areas.

The name Gunter is believed to have its roots in the name of the Germanic tribe known as the Gunthers or Gundherians, who were mentioned in ancient texts such as the Nibelungenlied, a medieval German epic poem written around the 13th century. The name was also found in other literary works of the time, such as the Icelandic sagas.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Gunter was Gunther, the Burgundian king who ruled in the 5th century AD. He is a central character in the Nibelungenlied, where he is portrayed as a powerful and ambitious ruler.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Gunter. One of the most famous was Gunther of Pairis (c. 965 - c. 1060), a German ecclesiastic who served as the Archbishop of Salzburg from 1024 until his death. He is remembered for his efforts to reform the Church and his patronage of the arts and education.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Gunther von Schwarzburg (c. 1170 - 1223), a German nobleman and crusader who participated in the Fifth Crusade and was later appointed as the first Prince-Bishop of Bamberg.

In the realm of science, Gunter Grass (1927 - 2015) was a renowned German novelist, playwright, and poet who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1999 for his influential works, including "The Tin Drum" and "Cat and Mouse."

Gunter Sachs (1932 - 2011) was a German businessman, photographer, and former husband of the French actress Brigitte Bardot, known for his lavish lifestyle and fascination with art and culture.

Gunter Wallraff (born 1942) is a German journalist and author who gained prominence for his undercover investigations and exposés of social injustice, particularly in his book "Ganz unten" (Lowest of the Low).

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

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

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