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Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Hunter

Hunter

♀ Girl

Pronounced HUN-ter /ˈhʌn.tΙ™r/High

Meaning: From the Old English huntian (to hunt) via the Middle English surname Hunter, meaning 'one who hunts'; used as a occupational surname and now as a given name for both boys and girlsHigh

In 30 seconds: Hunter is a bold Old English occupational surname meaning one who hunts. Long a male name, it has crossed firmly into girls' territory in the 21st century, appealing to parents who want a strong, outdoorsy, non-frilly name.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningFrom the Old English huntian (to hunt) via the Middle English surname Hunter, meaning 'one who hunts'; used as a occupational surname and now as a given name for both boys and girls
U.S. rank (2025)#842 β†— Rising
2025 U.S. births323 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1998
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 14,379

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 199819022025

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

Hunter derives from the Old English verb huntian (to hunt), producing the occupational surname denoting a professional hunter or huntsman. Hunting was a high-status occupation in medieval England β€” royal forests were hunting preserves β€” giving the surname an aristocratic flavor despite its occupational origin. The name transferred to given-name use in the United States during the 19th century.

Hunter was used almost exclusively for boys in the U.S. through most of the 20th century, ranking in the top 50 boys names in the late 1990s. In the 21st century it has increasingly been used for girls, following the well-established pattern of strong occupational and outdoor names crossing to the girls column. Its straightforward, two-syllable rhythm fits comfortably with other female surname names.

Did you know? Hunter S. Thompson, the gonzo journalist who wrote Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, gave the name Hunter a countercultural literary edge, but the name's outdoor, frontier associations long predate his influence.
Overall data confidence 92%
Behind the Name β€” Hunter β€” Old English etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration β€” gender usage data

Variations

HunterleeHuntyr

Nicknames

Hunt

Famous Bearers

  • β˜…Hunter S. Thompson (1937–2005)
    American journalist and author who pioneered gonzo journalism, best known for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

If you like Hunter…

Sloanβ€” same one-or-two-syllable Irish/English surname name used for girls
Harperβ€” shares the occupational surname-name trend and strong female use
Quinnβ€” fellow crisp, one-syllable Irish/English surname becoming a girls name
Ryanβ€” same category of traditionally male names now used for girls

Explore names like Hunter

By thememodernunisexsurname-nametwo-syllableold-englishoccupational
By meaningGift / Blessing

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Hunter mean?

Hunter means one who hunts, from the Old English occupational surname for a professional hunter.

How do you pronounce Hunter?

It is said HUN-ter, with two syllables.

Is Hunter a girls name?

Hunter was traditionally used for boys but is increasingly used for girls in the 21st century.

Is Hunter a popular name?

Hunter has been popular in the U.S. for boys since the 1990s and is growing for girls.

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