Gunnar Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationGOON-ar / /ˈɡʊn.ɑːr/Scandinavian; Old Norse
Meaning
Brave warrior; battle
Historical & Cultural Background
Gunnar is a traditional name in Scandinavian countries, particularly in Norway and Sweden. It has roots in Old Norse, where it was commonly used among Viking warriors. The name has been borne by several historical figures and is often associated with strength and valor. In modern times, it remains popular in various forms across Northern Europe.
Trend Summary
Gunnar has seen a steady increase in popularity in the United States over the past two decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Gunn
- Gunnarsson
International Variants
- Gunnar (German)
- Gunnar (Swedish)
- Gunnar (Norwegian)
Famous people named Gunnar
Gunnar Nelson is an Icelandic professional mixed martial artist known for his grappling skills.
Gunnar Hansen was an Icelandic-American actor best known for his role as Leatherface in the film 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre'.
Gunnar Myrdal was a Swedish economist and sociologist who received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 1974.
Gunnar Nordahl was a Swedish footballer who played for AC Milan and is regarded as one of the greatest strikers in football history.
Fictional characters named Gunnar
Gunnar is a character in the video game 'Borderlands 3', known for his combat skills.
Gunnar is a character in the animated series 'The Lion Guard', serving as a member of the Lion Guard.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Gunnar was first seen in the United States in 1893. Gunnar has ranked as high as #689 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Washington, Minnesota, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Gunnar has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Gunnar (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 37 | |
| MD | 34 | |
| CA | 28 | |
| FL | 23 | |
| NC | 20 | |
| TN | 19 | |
| OH | 18 | |
| WA | 17 | |
| PA | 17 | |
| NY | 16 | |
| IL | 16 | |
| MO | 14 | |
| AZ | 14 | |
| MN | 13 | |
| VA | 12 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1893 | 5 |
| 1908 | 5 |
| 1909 | 7 |
| 1910 | 5 |
| 1912 | 13 |
| 1913 | 21 |
| 1914 | 13 |
| 1915 | 23 |
| 1916 | 20 |
| 1917 | 22 |
| 1918 | 27 |
| 1919 | 15 |
| 1920 | 11 |
| 1921 | 12 |
| 1922 | 15 |
| 1923 | 6 |
| 1924 | 12 |
| 1925 | 23 |
| 1926 | 18 |
| 1927 | 14 |
| 1928 | 15 |
| 1929 | 12 |
| 1930 | 13 |
| 1931 | 11 |
| 1932 | 25 |
| 1933 | 9 |
| 1934 | 8 |
| 1935 | 9 |
| 1936 | 7 |
| 1937 | 8 |
| 1938 | 11 |
| 1939 | 8 |
| 1940 | 8 |
| 1941 | 10 |
| 1942 | 7 |
| 1943 | 10 |
| 1944 | 10 |
| 1945 | 9 |
| 1946 | 13 |
| 1947 | 11 |
| 1948 | 13 |
| 1949 | 11 |
| 1950 | 16 |
| 1951 | 19 |
| 1952 | 8 |
| 1953 | 27 |
| 1954 | 12 |
| 1955 | 17 |
| 1956 | 22 |
| 1957 | 15 |
| 1958 | 32 |
| 1959 | 15 |
| 1960 | 21 |
| 1961 | 28 |
| 1962 | 22 |
| 1963 | 21 |
| 1964 | 22 |
| 1965 | 18 |
| 1966 | 19 |
| 1967 | 17 |
| 1968 | 27 |
| 1969 | 23 |
| 1970 | 28 |
| 1971 | 39 |
| 1972 | 16 |
| 1973 | 25 |
| 1974 | 28 |
| 1975 | 27 |
| 1976 | 15 |
| 1977 | 13 |
| 1978 | 21 |
| 1979 | 22 |
| 1980 | 20 |
| 1981 | 19 |
| 1982 | 19 |
| 1983 | 17 |
| 1984 | 27 |
| 1985 | 23 |
| 1986 | 38 |
| 1987 | 41 |
| 1988 | 34 |
| 1989 | 56 |
| 1990 | 56 |
| 1991 | 206 |
| 1992 | 191 |
| 1993 | 188 |
| 1994 | 342 |
| 1995 | 317 |
| 1996 | 337 |
| 1997 | 347 |
| 1998 | 412 |
| 1999 | 370 |
| 2000 | 352 |
| 2001 | 357 |
| 2002 | 398 |
| 2003 | 373 |
| 2004 | 394 |
| 2005 | 450 |
| 2006 | 512 |
| 2007 | 464 |
| 2008 | 488 |
| 2009 | 480 |
| 2010 | 457 |
| 2011 | 520 |
| 2012 | 603 |
| 2013 | 758 |
| 2014 | 816 |
| 2015 | 825 |
| 2016 | 798 |
| 2017 | 707 |
| 2018 | 621 |
| 2019 | 576 |
| 2020 | 542 |
| 2021 | 545 |
| 2022 | 485 |
| 2023 | 478 |
| 2024 | 474 |