Palmer
Palmer is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Palm bearer or pilgrim.
Origin and history
Palmer originated as an English occupational surname for a pilgrim who carried a palm branch as proof of a journey to the Holy Land. Originally used primarily for boys, it has experienced a dramatic rise in popularity for girls in the United States since 2010. Today, it fits right alongside other trendy, classic-leaning surname choices like Harper and Piper.
Popularity in the United States
9,389 babies in the United States have been named Palmer since 1880. It ranks #1720 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #283.
States where it is most popular
- TX (11.2 %)
- FL (7.1 %)
- GA (6.1 %)
- NC (5.6 %)
- OH (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 7 |
| 1910-1920 | 45 |
| 1920-1930 | 54 |
| 1930-1940 | 20 |
| 1940-1950 | 31 |
| 1950-1960 | 45 |
| 1960-1970 | 38 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 18 |
| 1990-2000 | 61 |
| 2000-2010 | 128 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,296 |
| 2020-2029 | 6,646 |
Fun facts
- The term historically denoted medieval Christians who wore crossed palm leaves as a sign of visiting Jerusalem.
- While historically used mostly for boys, the vast majority of U.S. babies named Palmer in the 2020s are female.