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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kramer

Kramer

♂ Boy

Pronounced KRAY-mer /ˈkreɪ.mər/High

Meaning: A German occupational surname from Kramer, 'shopkeeper, small trader, peddler'. Carried to the U.S. by German-speaking families and used now as a surname-style first name; widely recognised from the character Kramer on the sitcom Seinfeld.Medium

In 30 seconds: A working surname turned first name: Kramer is German for 'shopkeeper, trader' (said 'KRAY-mer').
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Origin MediumGerman
MeaningA German occupational surname from Kramer, 'shopkeeper, small trader, peddler'. Carried to the U.S. by German-speaking families and used now as a surname-style first name; widely recognised from the character Kramer on the sitcom Seinfeld.
U.S. rank (2020)#11378 ↘ Falling
2020 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1989
Total births (all-time)≈ 500

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198919162020

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

Kramer is a German occupational surname meaning 'shopkeeper' or 'small trader', one of a large family of trade-based names alongside Schneider and Muller. German-speaking families carried it to the U.S., where it is now common as a family name and increasingly used as a first name. The Seinfeld character keeps it in cultural circulation (said 'KRAY-mer').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, surname-style, and brisk.

Did you know? Kramer is an old German trade name for a shopkeeper or peddler — though for most American ears it lands first as the neighbour from Seinfeld, which we note (said 'KRAY-mer').
Overall data confidence 65%
References — Kramer — German occupational surname 'shopkeeper'; Seinfeld character association

Variations

KraemerCramerKremer

Nicknames

KramRay

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kramer…

Sawyer— a like occupational surname pick
Archer— a like trade-name feel
Khaizer— shares the -er ending
Kinzer— shares the -er ending
Kolter— another modern pick

Explore names like Kramer

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kramer mean?

Kramer is a German occupational surname meaning 'shopkeeper' or 'small trader'.

How do you pronounce Kramer?

It's said KRAY-mer /ˈkreɪ.mər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kramer a boy or girl name?

Kramer is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Kramer?

Kramer is extremely rare as a first name for boys in the U.S.

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