Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Garner
BoyEnglish, French· “occupational surname, 'granary keeper'”
- Meaning
- occupational surname, 'granary keeper'
- Origin
- English, French
- Pronunciation
- GAHR-nur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #5,948
- US babies 2025
- 15
- Best rank
- #675 (1932)
- Peak year
- 1932
Meaning and origin of Garner
Garner is an English and French name that means “occupational surname, 'granary keeper'”.
Garner is an English surname from Old French gernier, granary, used for someone who worked in or kept a granary. The same Latin root, granarium, gives English the words granary and garner, meaning to gather. It is said GAHR-nur. The surname is known through John Nance Garner, vice president under Franklin Roosevelt, and through the actor James Garner. Garner fits with other occupational surnames like Carter, Porter and Sawyer. Gar could work as a nickname.
Popularity over time
Garner first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 5 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #675 in 1932, the same year it reached its highest count of 82 babies. In 2025, 15 babies were named Garner, and it ranked #5,948 nationally. That is 32% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,243 in 1920, #1,768 in 1950, #3,156 in 1980, #7,696 in 2000, #3,745 in 2010, and #5,948 in 2025. Of the 2,279 US boys named Garner since records began, 14% were born in the 1930s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 256 babies. Since 2010, 340 more have been named Garner.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Delton, Darold, Oneal, Author, and Arlis.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 88% of US babies named Garner over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Garner is usually pronounced GAHR-nur, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with G and ends in “-er”.
Middle names for Garner
A few middle names that flow with Garner: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Garner
Similar names
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Lists that include Garner
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Garner mean?
Garner is an English and French name that means “occupational surname, 'granary keeper'”.
What is the origin of the name Garner?
Garner has English and French roots. Garner is an English surname from Old French gernier, granary, used for someone who worked in or kept a granary.
Is Garner a popular name?
Not especially. Garner ranked #5,948 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Garner a boy or girl name?
Garner is mainly a boy's name. About 88% of US babies named Garner over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Garner?
Garner is usually pronounced GAHR-nur. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings