Hunter first name popularity, history and meaning

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

Meaning of Hunter

One who pursues and captures prey or game.

Popularity of Hunter by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Hunter is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 95% of people named Hunter being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 3,110 male babies and 344 female babies born with the name Hunter.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 344 baby girls were named Hunter in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 3,110 344
2022 3,564 363
2021 4,192 340
2020 4,776 328
2019 5,384 309
2018 6,107 328
2017 6,744 383
2016 7,669 338
2015 8,352 356
2014 8,833 363
2013 8,976 273
2012 8,044 207
2011 7,375 197
2010 7,327 178
2009 7,745 186
2008 8,041 199
2007 8,214 212
2006 8,573 244
2005 8,510 236
2004 8,902 354
2003 9,900 324
2002 11,085 472
2001 11,335 628
2000 12,538 714
1999 11,485 844
1998 11,078 997
1997 8,405 728
1996 7,602 782
1995 6,715 774
1994 5,584 822
1993 3,792 471
1992 2,540 119
1991 1,928 39
1990 1,391 37
1989 1,206 29
1988 979 36
1987 809 14
1986 672 26
1985 566 20
1984 460 16
1983 356 15
1982 317 6
1981 267 13
1980 242 9
1979 197 10
1978 145 10
1977 159 10
1976 131 11
1975 108 0
1974 92 0

The history of the first name Hunter

The name Hunter has its origins in the Old English word "huntere", which derived from the Proto-Germanic word "huntojan". This word was used to refer to someone who engaged in the activity of hunting, typically for food or sport. The name's roots can be traced back to around the 5th century AD in areas populated by Anglo-Saxon tribes in what is now known as England.

The name Hunter gained popularity during the Middle Ages, as hunting was a common pursuit among the nobility and the landed gentry. It was often used as an occupational surname for those whose primary role was to hunt game for their lords or employers. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists a person named "Huntor" living in Lincolnshire, England.

Throughout history, the name Hunter has been associated with individuals who excelled in hunting or were passionate about the sport. One notable figure was Robert Hunter (c. 1285-1330), a Scottish huntsman who served under King Robert the Bruce and was known for his skills in tracking and hunting deer. In the 16th century, John Hunter (c. 1550-1615), an English hunter and forester, gained fame for his expertise in hunting and wildlife conservation.

The name Hunter also has religious significance, particularly in the Christian tradition. In the Bible, the Book of Genesis mentions Nimrod, who was described as "a mighty hunter before the Lord" (Genesis 10:9). This passage has often been interpreted as a reference to his skill in hunting or, more broadly, as a symbol of strength and prowess.

During the Renaissance period, the name Hunter was associated with the pursuit of knowledge and intellectual curiosity. One notable figure was William Hunter (1718-1783), a Scottish anatomist and physician who made significant contributions to the fields of obstetrics and anatomy. Another prominent individual was John Hunter (1728-1793), a Scottish surgeon and naturalist who is considered one of the founders of modern scientific surgery.

In the 19th century, the name Hunter gained popularity in the United States. One notable bearer was David Hunter (1802-1886), a Union general during the American Civil War, who played a crucial role in several campaigns against the Confederate forces. Another famous Hunter from this era was Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter (1809-1887), a prominent American politician who served as a U.S. Senator and Confederate Secretary of State during the Civil War.

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

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

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"Hunter first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/hunter-meaning-and-history/.

"Hunter first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/hunter-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Hunter first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/hunter-meaning-and-history/.

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