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Bauer
Pronounced BOW-er /ˈbaʊ.ər/High
Meaning: Farmer, peasant; a person who cultivates the landHigh
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Bauer is a common German surname derived directly from the Middle High German word bur or bauer, meaning farmer or peasant. In medieval Germany, the Bauer class comprised free farmers who owned their land, distinguishing them from serfs. The name is one of the most common German surnames, comparable in frequency to Smith or Miller in English.
As a given name in the United States, Bauer follows the tradition of using distinguished surnames as first names, a trend accelerated by 20th-century popular culture. The name gained particular recognition through the fictional character Jack Bauer in the television series 24, making it familiar to American audiences. Parents who choose Bauer as a first name often value its strong, grounded Germanic character.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Bauer mean?
Bauer means 'farmer' or 'peasant' in German, from Middle High German bur, referring to someone who cultivates the land.
How do you pronounce Bauer?
Bauer is pronounced BOW-er /ˈbaʊ.ər/ — two syllables, with the first rhyming with 'cow.'
Is Bauer a boy or girl name?
Bauer is used as a boy's name when adopted as a given name.
How popular is Bauer?
Bauer is an uncommon first name in the U.S., more familiar as a German surname, though it has gained some traction as a distinctive given name.