Palmer

“Pilgrim who carried a palm branch” — Middle English, from Old French origin

Boy's name · #995 in the US (2025) · Heirloom

Palmer belongs to an older America first — it reached #386 back in 1908 — yet it still appears in today's records at #995. About 9,300 boys have carried it since 1880. About 84% of babies named Palmer in recent years have been girls.

Around the world: about 1 in 13,000 boys in Canada (2024) · about 1 in 16,000 boys in England & Wales (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 24 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Palmers

Palmer Luckey — American founder of Oculus VR and inventor of the Oculus Rift
Palmer Cox — Canadian illustrator and author (1840–1924)
Palmer Hayden — American artist (1890-1973)
Palmer DePaulis — American politician
Palmer Hildebrand — Major League Baseball catcher (1884–1960)

In stories & tradition

Palmer — Pokémon
Palmer Cortlandt — All My Children

What Palmers become

Among 47 notable people named Palmer:

No single standout — notable Palmers spread across many fields.

Similar names: Noble · Paris · Carmine · Foster · Chester · Mercer

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service