Hunter

Updated: September 17, 2021 by MomsWhoThink Staff

Since the 1990s, Hunter has been one of the trendiest baby names in the United States, but it's been a given name for even longer. The Social Security Administration has records of it dating as far back as the beginning of the 20th century. It began as an Old English occupational surname for skilled hunters, which may be why it evokes a sense of ruggedness and adventure today.

Meaning of the name Hunter:

English: one who hunts

Origin of the name Hunter:

Hunter started as an occupational English and Scottish surname during the Middle Ages. It was usually assigned to those who hunted for wild boar and other large game.

Symbolism of the name Hunter:

The name Hunter was likely assigned to those who were able to catch larger game animals, like wild boar. For this reason, it symbolizes someone who is strong and skilled at what they do.

Style of the name Hunter:

Traditional

Gender of the name Hunter:

Though it's more commonly used for boys, Hunter can also be a girl's name.

Pronunciation of the name Hunter:

HUHN-tr

Number of syllables in the name Hunter:

Two

Emotion evoked from the name Hunter:

The baby name Hunter evokes the image of someone who is rugged, outdoorsy and adventurous.

Alternative spellings for the name Hunter:

N/A

Nicknames for the name Hunter:

Hunt
Huntie
Hunley
Hunts

Popularity of the name Hunter:

Hunter has been one of the top 1,000 baby boy names in the United States for well over a century. However, in the mid-1990s, it shot up the list to become one of the top 100, where it remains today. As of 2020, it ranks at number 69.