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Home › Baby Names Directory › Garner

Garner

♂ Boy

Pronounced GAR-nər /ˈɡɑr.nər/High

Meaning: From an English/French occupational surname — Old French gernier, 'a granary, a storehouse for grain' — 'a granary keeper'Medium

In 30 seconds: A granary keeper: Garner is the English/French 'a granary keeper'. Crisp, distinguished, and warm.
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Origin MediumEnglish, French
MeaningFrom an English/French occupational surname — Old French gernier, 'a granary, a storehouse for grain' — 'a granary keeper'
U.S. rank (2025)#5948 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births15 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1932
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,278

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 193218812025

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

Garner comes from an English and French occupational surname — from Old French gernier, 'a granary, a storehouse for grain' — 'a keeper of the granary' (the verb 'to garner', to gather and store, comes from the same root). A crisp, distinguished surname-name (actors James and Jennifer Garner).

It registers thinly as a first name. Rare, a-granary-keeper at the root, and distinguished.

Did you know? Garner means 'a granary keeper' (Old French gernier, 'a storehouse for grain') — and 'to garner' means to gather and store — a crisp, distinguished surname-name (actor James Garner).
Overall data confidence 65%
Surname references — Garner — etymology

Variations

GardnerGarnier

Nicknames

Gar

Famous Bearers

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If you like Garner…

Gardner— a sound-neighbor occupational surname-name
Tanner— a fellow occupational surname-name
Sawyer— a companion occupational surname-name
Carver— another occupational surname-name

Explore names like Garner

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Garner mean?

Garner is English/French for 'a granary keeper' (one who gathers and stores grain).

How do you pronounce Garner?

It's said GAR-nər /ˈɡɑr.nər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Garner a boy or girl name?

Garner is a boy's name.

How popular is Garner?

Garner is a rare first name in the U.S.

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