Kramer
Primarily a boy's name of Germanic origin with 500 recorded births. Also given to 6 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Kramer is a boy's and girl's baby name of Germanic origin, derived from the occupational surname meaning 'shopkeeper' or 'merchant,' from Middle High German krämer.
Kramer as a given name in the United States is most associated with the beloved eccentric neighbor Cosmo Kramer from the TV sitcom Seinfeld (1989–1998), one of the most iconic characters in American television history. The surname-as-first-name trend makes Kramer an unconventional but memorable choice.
EtymologyShow more
Though Kramer dates back to 1916 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Germanic classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
Kramer’s 500 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kramer has 23+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1916.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 6 | #11378 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 28 | #9524 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 336 | #3646 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 125 | #4430 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 5 | #4234 | — |
The Story of Kramer
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1989, Kramer is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Kramer are most likely born between 1979 and 1999.
How rare is Kramer?
With 500 total births on record, Kramer remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1916, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1990s with 336 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Kramer by the numbers
- Would fill 10 school buses
- Meeting one Kramer per day would take 1.4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(23 years, 1916–2020)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | #11378 |
| 2006 | 8 | #9211 |
| 2005 | 6 | #10884 |
| 2002 | 6 | #10126 |
| 2000 | 8 | #7873 |
| 1999 | 6 | #9383 |
| 1998 | 8 | #7257 |
| 1997 | 14 | #4585 |
| 1996 | 20 | #3489 |
| 1995 | 21 | #3261 |
| 1994 | 37 | #2203 |
| 1993 | 57 | #1591 |
| 1992 | 62 | #1479 |
| 1991 | 43 | #1851 |
| 1990 | 68 | #1357 |
| 1989 | 70 | #1315 |
| 1988 | 15 | #3448 |
| 1987 | 11 | #4123 |
| 1986 | 9 | #4687 |
| 1985 | 5 | #7113 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Kramer as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Kramer has also been given to 6 girls in the U.S. since 1992.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kramer a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kramer most popular?
How popular is the name Kramer?
Can Kramer be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1916–2020