Once popular, gently fading from the charts.
A surname.
Garner is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old French origin, an occupational surname from the Old French gernier, meaning 'keeper of the granary' or 'storehouse keeper.' Actress Jennifer Garner has given this surname a warm, wholesome cultural association.
As a given name, Garner has the sturdy, agricultural-heritage quality of names like Thatcher, Cooper, and Fletcher — an honest, working-man's surname repurposed as a first name with quiet distinction.
Garner was #3393 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #5282, but its charm endures.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 100 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 224 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 218 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 132 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 88 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 138 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 199 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 160 | — |
| 1940s | 167 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 320 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 256 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 212 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 32 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 12 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 | #5282 |
| 2023 | 18 | #5311 |
| 2022 | 15 | #5953 |
| 2021 | 33 | #3442 |
| 2020 | 16 | #5535 |
| 2019 | 26 | #4042 |
| 2018 | 20 | #4803 |
| 2017 | 17 | #5356 |
| 2016 | 22 | #4515 |
| 2015 | 22 | #4441 |
| 2014 | 28 | #3720 |
| 2013 | 24 | #4099 |
| 2012 | 25 | #4047 |
| 2011 | 12 | #6729 |
| 2010 | 28 | #3745 |
| 2009 | 14 | #6205 |
| 2008 | 29 | #3677 |
| 2007 | 17 | #5275 |
| 2006 | 25 | #3928 |
| 2005 | 31 | #3270 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Garner has also been given to 54 girls in the U.S. since 2010.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1881–2024) · Methodology