The nameGunnar
Gunnar is a Scandinavian warrior name, found in the Norse sagas. It has a following in America.
- Boy's name
- Old Norse
Meaning
Gunnar comes from the Old Norse gunnr, "war, battle", and herr, "army, warrior".
Origin
Old Norse.
History
Gunnar of Hlíðarendi is a hero of Njáls saga. In the United States the name reached 382nd in 2014.
Famous people named Gunnar
- Gunnar Nelson, singer
- Gunnar Myrdal, economist
- Gunnar Nordahl, footballer
Popularity of the name Gunnar
Gunnar in the United States
Gunnar was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 6,697 births over the decade, 38% of all recorded babies named Gunnar. Its rise began around 1991, and it peaked in 2015. Half of all babies named Gunnar in the United States were born before 2010, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 505 births a year on average, against 709 in the five years before.
Gunnar in Norway
Gunnar was most popular in Norway in the 1950s, with 3,778 births over the decade, 35% of all recorded babies named Gunnar. Half of all babies named Gunnar in Norway were born before 1956, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name.
Sibling names for Gunnar
Names from the same generation as Gunnar, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Gunnar? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Gunnar with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Gunnar side by side with the name of your choice.
Gunnar in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gunnar mean?
Gunnar comes from the Old Norse gunnr, "war, battle", and herr, "army, warrior".
What is the origin of the name Gunnar?
Old Norse.
Is Gunnar a girl's or a boy's name?
Gunnar is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Gunnar?
In 2024, Gunnar was the 600th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 474 births.
What are good sibling names for Gunnar?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Edith, Eve, Fiona and Livia for a sister, Edmund, Mohamed, Mohammed and Ahmed for a brother.
Who are famous people named Gunnar?
Gunnar Nelson, singer; Gunnar Myrdal, economist; Gunnar Nordahl, footballer.