Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Summer
GirlEnglish, Old English· “the season of summer”
- Meaning
- the season of summer
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- SUH-mur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #152
- US babies 2025
- 1,973
- Best rank
- #119 (1977)
- Peak year
- 1998
Meaning and origin of Summer
Summer is an English and Old English name that means “the season of summer”.
Summer is taken directly from the English word for the warmest season, which goes back to the Old English sumor. It began to be used as a given name in the twentieth century, along with other season and weather names such as Autumn and Winter. The English surname Sumner is unrelated; it comes from an official who summoned people to court. Summer is sunny, cheerful and carefree, and its meaning is instantly clear. It pairs well with classic middle names and works in many languages. Sunny is a fitting nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Sommer, Somer, Summar.
Popularity over time
Summer first appears in US Social Security records in 1949. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 55 different years, starting in 1971. Its best national rank was #119 in 1977, and the most babies received it in 1998, when 2,558 were named Summer. In 2025, 1,973 babies were named Summer, and it ranked #152 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #159 in 1980, #145 in 2000, #163 in 2010, and #152 in 2025. Of the 91,321 US girls named Summer since records began, 24% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 18,807 babies. Since 2010, 28,578 more have been named Summer.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Esmeralda, Caitlyn, Diamond, Camryn, and Lauryn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Summer ranked highest in Connecticut, South Carolina, and New Hampshire.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | #71 | 35 |
| South Carolina | #85 | 48 |
| New Hampshire | #89 | 14 |
| Rhode Island | #89 | 10 |
| Florida | #92 | 175 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Summer is usually pronounced SUH-mur, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-er”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Sommer, Somer, and Summar.
Middle names for Summer
A few middle names that flow with Summer: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Summer
Similar names
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Lists that include Summer
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Summer mean?
Summer is an English and Old English name that means “the season of summer”.
What is the origin of the name Summer?
Summer has English and Old English roots. Summer is taken directly from the English word for the warmest season, which goes back to the Old English sumor.
Is Summer a popular name?
Yes. Summer ranked #152 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Summer a boy or girl name?
Summer is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Summer?
Summer is usually pronounced SUH-mur. 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