Gunnar
Every Gunnar since 1893 — 18,178 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Gunnar
Gunnar is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #612 in 2025 with 462 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1893, 18,178 American babies have been named Gunnar. Its peak came in 2015, when 830 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Gunnar stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Gunnar year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 462 | #612 |
| 2024 | — | — | 476 | #598 |
| 2023 | — | — | 478 | #593 |
| 2022 | — | — | 486 | #589 |
| 2021 | — | — | 545 | #541 |
| 2020 | — | — | 542 | #527 |
| 2019 | 5 | #16,396 | 576 | #497 |
| 2018 | — | — | 621 | #469 |
| 2017 | — | — | 707 | #439 |
| 2016 | 6 | #14,987 | 798 | #400 |
| 2015 | 5 | #17,401 | 825 | #388 |
| 2014 | — | — | 816 | #382 |
| 2013 | — | — | 758 | #397 |
| 2012 | — | — | 603 | #450 |
| 2011 | — | — | 520 | #501 |
| 2010 | — | — | 457 | #554 |
| 2009 | — | — | 480 | #550 |
| 2008 | — | — | 488 | #540 |
| 2007 | — | — | 464 | #553 |
| 2006 | — | — | 512 | #507 |
| 2005 | — | — | 450 | #539 |
| 2004 | 6 | #14,798 | 394 | #574 |
| 2003 | — | — | 373 | #587 |
| 2002 | — | — | 398 | #559 |
| 2001 | — | — | 357 | #577 |
| 2000 | — | — | 352 | #574 |
| 1995 | — | — | 317 | #574 |
| 1990 | — | — | 56 | #1,522 |
| 1985 | — | — | 23 | #2,321 |
| 1980 | — | — | 20 | #2,474 |
| 1975 | — | — | 27 | #1,807 |
| 1970 | — | — | 28 | #1,636 |
| 1965 | — | — | 18 | #1,885 |
| 1960 | — | — | 21 | #1,789 |
| 1955 | — | — | 17 | #1,929 |
| 1950 | — | — | 16 | #1,909 |
| 1945 | — | — | 9 | #2,467 |
| 1940 | — | — | 8 | #2,748 |
| 1935 | — | — | 9 | #2,609 |
| 1930 | — | — | 13 | #2,229 |
| 1925 | — | — | 23 | #1,603 |
| 1920 | — | — | 11 | #2,660 |
| 1915 | — | — | 23 | #1,432 |
| 1910 | — | — | 5 | #1,689 |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Gunnar
- Gunnar Nordahl Soccer player · 1921–1995
- Gunnar Myrdal Economist · 1898–1987
- Gunnar Gren Soccer player · 1920–1991
- Gunnar Asplund Architect · 1885–1940
- Gunnar Björnstrand Actor · 1909–1986
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Gunnar in 2025?
Gunnar ranked #612 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 462 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Gunnar?
18,178 babies have been named Gunnar in the United States since 1893, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Gunnar most popular?
Gunnar peaked in 2015, when 830 newborns received the name.
Is Gunnar a boy or girl name?
Gunnar is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Gunnar rising or falling?
Gunnar is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Gunnar?
Well-known people named Gunnar include Gunnar Nordahl (soccer player), Gunnar Myrdal (economist), Gunnar Gren (soccer player).