Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Gunnar
BoyOld Norse, Scandinavian· “bold warrior”
- Meaning
- bold warrior
- Origin
- Old Norse, Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- GUH-nur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #612
- US babies 2025
- 462
- Best rank
- #382 (2014)
- Peak year
- 2015
Meaning and origin of Gunnar
Gunnar is an Old Norse and Scandinavian name that means “bold warrior”.
Gunnar comes from the Old Norse Gunnarr, built from gunnr, "war" or "battle", and herr, "army" or "warrior", so it is often rendered "bold warrior". In the Norse legends of the Völsungs, Gunnar is the king who wins the valkyrie Brynhild with the help of the hero Sigurd, and he appears as Gunther in the German Nibelungenlied. Gunnar of Hlíðarendi is a central hero of the Icelandic Njáls saga. The name remains common in Scandinavia and has grown in the United States as a rugged, Nordic choice. Gunner is a related English spelling, and Gun is a possible nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Gunner.
Popularity over time
Gunnar first appears in US Social Security records in 1893. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 35 different years, starting in 1991. Its best national rank was #382 in 2014, and the most babies received it in 2015, when 825 were named Gunnar. In 2025, 462 babies were named Gunnar, and it ranked #612 nationally. That is 44% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,660 in 1920, #1,909 in 1950, #2,474 in 1980, #574 in 2000, #554 in 2010, and #612 in 2025. Of the 18,156 US boys named Gunnar since records began, 37% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 4,268 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Porter, Abram, Gannon, Solomon, and Deacon.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Gunnar ranked highest in West Virginia, New Hampshire, and Maryland.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | #234 | 8 |
| New Hampshire | #245 | 5 |
| Maryland | #334 | 16 |
| Minnesota | #360 | 16 |
| Washington | #371 | 20 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Gunnar is usually pronounced GUH-nur, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with G and ends in “-ar”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Gunner.
Middle names for Gunnar
A few middle names that flow with Gunnar: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Gunnar
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Lists that include Gunnar
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gunnar mean?
Gunnar is an Old Norse and Scandinavian name that means “bold warrior”.
What is the origin of the name Gunnar?
Gunnar has Old Norse and Scandinavian roots. Gunnar comes from the Old Norse Gunnarr, built from gunnr, "war" or "battle", and herr, "army" or "warrior", so it is often rendered "bold warrior".
Is Gunnar a popular name?
Yes. Gunnar ranked #612 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Gunnar a boy or girl name?
Gunnar is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Gunnar?
Gunnar is usually pronounced GUH-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