Miner
A boy's name of Old French origin with 274 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Miner is a boy's baby name of Old French origin, from the occupational surname meaning 'one who mines' or extracts ore, from the Old French mineur. Occupational surnames — Mason, Cooper, Carpenter, Miner — became popular given names in nineteenth-century America, particularly in mining communities of Appalachia and the western states.
Miner carries the rugged, working-class heritage of the American frontier — a name that honors labor, endurance, and the extractive economy that built much of the country.
EtymologyShow more
Miner first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1880. Names present in the earliest SSA data (which begins in 1880) were typically carried by immigrants from Europe, handed down through families, or drawn from biblical and classical sources.
Its Old French classification suggests a path from old french linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Miner has 38+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 16 | — |
| 1940s | 17 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 27 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 87 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 80 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 14 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 28 | — |
The Story of Miner
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1917, Miner is a name steeped in history. Boys named Miner are most likely born between 1907 and 1927.
How rare is Miner?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Miner is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 87 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Miner by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(38 years, 1880–1955)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 5 | #4212 |
| 1953 | 6 | #3669 |
| 1951 | 5 | #4078 |
| 1949 | 5 | #4051 |
| 1942 | 6 | #3445 |
| 1940 | 6 | #3354 |
| 1937 | 5 | #3867 |
| 1936 | 5 | #3903 |
| 1935 | 5 | #3996 |
| 1934 | 6 | #3552 |
| 1931 | 6 | #3640 |
| 1929 | 7 | #3449 |
| 1928 | 5 | #4541 |
| 1927 | 11 | #2644 |
| 1926 | 8 | #3296 |
| 1925 | 11 | #2696 |
| 1924 | 11 | #2773 |
| 1923 | 9 | #3094 |
| 1922 | 9 | #3164 |
| 1921 | 11 | #2742 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Miner a boy's or girl's name?
When was Miner most popular?
How popular is the name Miner?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–1955