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Fletcher

♂ Boy

Pronounced FLECH-er /ˈflɛtʃ.ər/High

Meaning: From the medieval English occupational surname Fletcher, derived from Old French fleche ('arrow') and the agent suffix -er, meaning 'one who makes or sells arrows'; a trade surname become given nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Fletcher is a sharp Old French occupational name meaning 'arrow-maker.' With the same friendly feel as Cooper or Hunter, it is one of the most satisfying two-syllable surname-names around.
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Origin HighEnglish, Old French
MeaningFrom the medieval English occupational surname Fletcher, derived from Old French fleche ('arrow') and the agent suffix -er, meaning 'one who makes or sells arrows'; a trade surname become given name
U.S. rank (2025)#547 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births549 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 17,415

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202518802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Fletcher derives from Old French fleche ('arrow') plus the agentive suffix, meaning 'one who makes or sells arrows.' Fletchers were crucial medieval craftsmen responsible for the arrow flights that made the English longbow the most deadly weapon of the Hundred Years' War. The surname was common throughout medieval England and entered given-name use in the 20th century as part of the occupational surname naming trend.

Fletcher has been rising steadily in the United States since the early 2000s, now sitting in the top 250 for boys. It belongs to the same fashionable occupational surname-name bracket as Cooper, Hunter, and Mason. Its two-syllable structure, the fun nickname Fletch, and its distinctly medieval English character make it attractive to a wide range of parents.

Did you know? The medieval fletchers — makers of arrows — were so essential to English military power that they formed their own guild, the Company of Fletchers (now the Worshipful Company of Fletchers), chartered in London in 1371.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Fletcher — etymology and surname historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

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Nicknames

Fletch

Famous Bearers

  • ★John Fletcher (1579–1625)
    English Jacobean playwright who collaborated with Shakespeare on at least three plays.

If you like Fletcher…

Cooper— shares the occupational surname origin, the two-syllable ease, and the same rising popularity
Hunter— another occupation-derived surname-name with the same rugged, outdoor character
Archer— the parallel archery-themed name — if Fletcher makes the arrows, Archer uses them
Tucker— two-syllable Old English occupational surname-name in the same friendly bracket

Frequently Asked

What does the name Fletcher mean?

Fletcher comes from Old French fleche (arrow) and means 'one who makes or sells arrows.' Fletchers were essential medieval craftsmen who supplied arrows for English archers.

How do you pronounce Fletcher?

It is said FLECH-er — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Fletcher a boy or girl name?

Fletcher is used almost exclusively as a boys' name.

How popular is Fletcher?

Fletcher ranks in the U.S. top 250 for boys and is rising steadily as part of the occupational surname-name trend.