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

Popularity of Meyer by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Meyer is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 90% of people named Meyer being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 101 male babies and 17 female babies born with the name Meyer.

The history of the first name Meyer

The name Meyer has its origins in the German language and culture, dating back to the Middle Ages. It derives from the German word "meier," which originally referred to a steward or overseer of a large estate or farm. The name likely emerged as a occupational surname for individuals who held such positions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Meyer can be found in the 12th century, when it appeared in various legal and administrative documents throughout medieval Germany. During this period, the name was often spelled as "Meier" or "Meyer," reflecting regional variations in pronunciation and orthography.

While the name Meyer does not have a direct connection to any specific ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been associated with several notable historical figures over the centuries. One such individual was Meyer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812), a renowned German banker and the founder of the Rothschild banking dynasty, which played a significant role in European finance and politics.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Meyer Lutz (1619-1681), a German composer and organist who made significant contributions to the development of baroque music in the 17th century. His works, including numerous sacred compositions and organ pieces, were widely performed and influential during his lifetime.

In the realm of literature, Meyer Levin (1905-1981) was an American novelist and journalist known for his works exploring Jewish themes and the Holocaust. His novel "The Bastard" (1960), which delved into the experiences of a German-Jewish family during World War II, garnered critical acclaim and brought attention to the lasting impacts of the Nazi regime.

In the field of science, Hans Adolf Meyer (1858-1929) was a German chemist who made significant contributions to the understanding of molecular structure and chemical bonding. His work on the valence theory of chemical bonding, known as the Meyer-Pauling theory, laid the foundation for modern concepts in organic chemistry.

Another noteworthy figure was Meyer Schapiro (1904-1996), an American art historian and professor at Columbia University. His extensive research and writings on modern art, particularly his analysis of the works of Paul Cézanne and Pablo Picasso, had a profound influence on the study and interpretation of 20th-century art movements.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who bore the name Meyer, each making significant contributions to their respective fields and leaving a lasting impact on society and culture.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!