Find out how popular the first name Myer has been for the last 46 years (from 1979 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Myer by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Myer is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 92% of people named Myer being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 31 male babies and 5 female babies born with the name Myer.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby girls were named Myer in 2024, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Myer

The given name Myer has its roots in the German language, specifically derived from the word "meier," which means a steward or a bailiff responsible for overseeing an estate or a farm. This name has its origins dating back to the Middle Ages, around the 12th to 15th centuries, when the feudal system was prevalent in Europe.

During this period, the name Myer was commonly used to refer to individuals who held positions of authority and responsibility in managing agricultural lands or estates owned by nobility or the church. The name gained popularity among the German-speaking population and eventually spread to other regions as well.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Myer can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from the 12th century, where it is mentioned in connection with various landholdings and administrative roles.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Myer. One of the most famous was Myer Prinstein (1818-1903), a German-American businessman and philanthropist who made his fortune in the brewing industry and was instrumental in the development of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Another prominent figure was Myer Kutz (1751-1821), a German-Jewish scholar and author who wrote extensively on Jewish law and tradition, making significant contributions to the study of the Talmud.

In the world of literature, Myer Ezekiel Isaacs (1925-2012) was a South African poet and academic, renowned for his work exploring the Jewish experience in South Africa and promoting cross-cultural understanding.

Myer Fredman (1934-2020) was a British businessman and philanthropist, known for his significant charitable contributions to various causes, including education and medical research.

Lastly, Myer Horowitz (1932-2012) was a Canadian academic and administrator, serving as the president of the University of Alberta from 1979 to 1989, and making notable contributions to higher education in Canada.

These individuals, spanning different time periods and fields, exemplify the rich history and diverse backgrounds associated with the given name Myer, which has its origins rooted in the German language and cultural heritage.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Myer, 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!