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Home › Baby Names Directory › Renner

Renner

♂ Boy

Pronounced REH-ner /ˈrɛ.nər/High

Meaning: From German Renner — 'runner, racer, messenger' — an occupational surname turned modern first nameMedium

In 30 seconds: Built for speed: Renner is a German surname meaning 'runner, racer' — the swift messenger of old. Sharp, athletic, and rising with the surname-name wave (a nod to actor Jeremy Renner).
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Origin MediumGerman
MeaningFrom German Renner — 'runner, racer, messenger' — an occupational surname turned modern first name
U.S. rank (2025)#3297 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births36 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)≈ 602

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201819992025

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

Renner comes from the German occupational surname Renner, 'runner, racer, messenger' (from rennen, 'to run'). Like Parker and Sawyer, it has crossed from surname to modern first name, helped by actor Jeremy Renner's visibility.

It registers thinly in recent records. Rare, swift at the root, and athletically modern.

Did you know? A medieval Renner was a 'runner' — a fast messenger or a knight who charged in tournaments — so the name is, quite literally, made for someone always on the move.
Overall data confidence 78%
Surname dictionaries — Renner — occupational etymology

Variations

RenerRenier

Nicknames

Ren

Famous Bearers

  • ★Jeremy Renner (1971-)
    American actor known for playing Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

If you like Renner…

Ryker— a fellow strong modern surname-name
Archer— another action-tinged surname-name
Ryder— a sister motion-themed surname-name
Rainer— lands in the same popularity range
Bauer— the same surname-name feel

Explore names like Renner

By thememodernsurname-namegerman

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Renner mean?

Renner is a German occupational surname meaning 'runner, racer, messenger'.

How do you pronounce Renner?

It's said REH-ner /ˈrɛ.nər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Renner a boy or girl name?

Renner is a boy's name.

How popular is Renner?

Renner is a rare, modern name in the U.S.

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