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Archer

♂ Boy

Pronounced AR-cher /ˈɑːr.tʃər/High

Meaning: Bowman; one who shoots arrows with a bow — an occupational surnameHigh

In 30 seconds: An Old French and English occupational surname meaning 'bowman,' Archer has become a stylish first-name choice in the U.S. It carries a cool, precise edge — and the zodiac sign Sagittarius is literally 'the archer.'

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Origin HighEnglish, French

MeaningBowman; one who shoots arrows with a bow — an occupational surname

U.S. rank (2025)#98 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births3,627 boys (0.21% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 31,377

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Archer is an occupational surname derived from Old French archier and Anglo-Latin arcarius, meaning 'bowman' — someone who fights or hunts with a bow and arrow. After the Norman Conquest, the name settled into English use as a surname.

As a given name, Archer gained momentum in the U.S. during the 2000s and 2010s, aided in part by the animated TV series Archer (debuted 2009). It entered the U.S. top 100 boys' names by the mid-2010s and is seen as a sophisticated alternative to more common occupational names like Hunter.

Did you know? Sagittarius, the ninth sign of the zodiac, is Latin for 'the archer' — people born November 22 – December 21 share their symbol with this name.

Variations

Archibald (unrelated root, but shares Arch-)

Nicknames

Arch

Famous Bearers

★Archer Martin (1910-2002)
British chemist and Nobel laureate in Chemistry

If you like Archer…

Hunter— similarly bold occupational name with outdoorsy energy

Ryder— rugged -er ending occupational name with the same cool appeal

Cooper— popular occupational surname-as-first-name with the same rhythm

Alder— lands in the same popularity range

Aster— shares the -er ending

Frequently Asked

What does the name Archer mean?

Archer is an occupational surname meaning 'bowman' — someone who shoots a bow and arrow, from Old French archier.

How do you pronounce Archer?

Archer is pronounced AR-cher /ˈɑːr.tʃər/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Archer a boy or girl name?

Archer is predominantly used as a boy's name.

How popular is Archer?

Archer entered the U.S. top 100 boys' names by the mid-2010s and has continued to rise in popularity.