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

Popularity of Sumer by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Sumer is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Sumer.

The history of the first name Sumer

The name Sumer is believed to have originated from the ancient Sumerian civilization, which emerged in Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE. This region, located in modern-day Iraq, was known as the "Cradle of Civilization" and was home to one of the earliest known civilizations in human history.

The Sumerians developed a complex writing system, known as cuneiform, which was one of the earliest forms of written language. The name "Sumer" itself is derived from the Sumerian words "ki-en-gir," which translates to "land of the civilized lords" or "land of the cultivated plains."

The ancient Sumerian civilization left behind numerous historical records and artifacts, many of which reference various names and individuals. However, it is uncertain whether the name "Sumer" was actually used as a personal name during that time period.

One of the earliest known references to the name "Sumer" can be found in the Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient Mesopotamian epic poem dating back to around 2100 BCE. In this epic, the character Gilgamesh is described as the ruler of the city-state of Uruk, which was located in the region of Sumer.

While the name "Sumer" may not have been commonly used as a personal name in ancient times, it has been adopted as a given name in more recent centuries. One notable individual with this name was Sumer Pasha (1852-1913), an Ottoman military officer and statesman who served as the Grand Vizier (prime minister) of the Ottoman Empire from 1909 to 1910.

Another historical figure bearing the name Sumer was Sumer Singh Suri (1866-1938), an Indian revolutionary and activist who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement against British rule. He was a prominent member of the Ghadar Party and worked tirelessly to promote the cause of Indian freedom.

In the realm of art and literature, Sumer Karahoca (1932-1992) was a renowned Turkish poet and writer. He was acclaimed for his contributions to modern Turkish poetry and his works exploring themes of identity, love, and social issues.

Additionally, Sumer Sivrioglu (born 1976) is a Turkish-Australian chef and restaurateur who has gained international recognition for his contributions to promoting and preserving traditional Turkish cuisine. He is the owner of several successful restaurants in Sydney, Australia, and has authored several cookbooks.

While not an exhaustive list, these examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals who have borne the name Sumer throughout history, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of this name with ancient Sumerian roots.

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

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

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