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

Popularity of Turner by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 202 male babies and 21 female babies born with the name Turner.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 21 baby girls were named Turner in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Turner

The given name Turner has its roots in the English language, deriving from the Old English word "turnere," which referred to a person who operated a lathe or turned wood, metal, or other materials. This occupation-based name originated in medieval England, likely around the 12th or 13th century.

The earliest recorded instances of Turner as a first name can be traced back to the late 15th century in England. One of the earliest known individuals with this name was William Turner, an English botanist and ecclesiastical reformer born in 1508. He is considered a prominent figure in the English Reformation and is known for his contributions to the study of plants.

Another notable figure with the name Turner was Joseph Mallord William Turner, a renowned English Romantic painter born in 1775. He is considered one of the greatest landscape painters in British art history and is famous for his innovative techniques and use of light and color.

In the realm of literature, Nat Turner, an African-American enslaved preacher, gained historical significance for leading a slave rebellion in 1831 in Virginia, United States. His rebellion, known as the Nat Turner Rebellion, sparked a wave of fear and violence against enslaved people in the American South.

Moving into the 20th century, Tina Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock in 1939, is a legendary American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is widely regarded as the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll" and is known for her powerful vocals and energetic stage performances.

Another notable figure is Ted Turner, an American media mogul and philanthropist born in 1938. He is best known for founding the Cable News Network (CNN) and pioneering the concept of 24-hour news coverage.

While the name Turner has its origins in an occupation, it has evolved into a common first name over the centuries, carried by individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including botany, art, literature, music, and media.

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

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