How to say it
HUN · ter
ˈhʌn.tɚ
Masculine
Hunter
One who hunts
What it means
English occupational surname for a hunter, from Old English hunta. Surname-first usage picked up in the 1980s and is now solidly in the top 100.
Hunter is an English occupational surname for a hunter, from the Old English hunta ('one who hunts'). The surname has been common since the medieval period. The first-name use is modern American, picking up in the 1980s with the broader masculine surname-first wave. Hunter S. Thompson (the Gonzo journalist, 1937-2005) and Hunter Hayes (the country singer) are the strongest English-language anchors. It's been in the US top 100 since 1992 and is now unisex-leaning in some communities. Single short forms aren't common.
How to spell Hunter
The standard spelling is Hunter. Common variants include Huntyr, but Hunter is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #35 in 2000, currently #130 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
Hunter S. Thompson's gonzo journalism (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) is the strongest cultural anchor; Hunter Hayes the country singer is the modern one.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Hunter S. Thompson American gonzo journalist, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
- Hunter Biden Son of US President Joe Biden, lawyer and businessman
Spelling variants
- Huntyr
Names with the same feeling
See Hunter from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Hunter mean?
- English occupational surname for a hunter, from Old English hunta. Surname-first usage picked up in the 1980s and is now solidly in the top 100.
- What does Hunter mean in Old English?
- In Old English, Hunter means "One who hunts." Hunter is an English occupational surname for a hunter, from the Old English hunta ('one who hunts'). The surname has been common since the medieval period. The first-name use is modern American, picking up in the 1980s with the broader masculine surname-first wave. Hunter S. Thompson (the Gonzo journalist, 1937-2005) and Hunter Hayes (the country singer) are the strongest English-language anchors. It's been in the US top 100 since 1992 and is now unisex-leaning in some communities. Single short forms aren't common.
- How do you pronounce Hunter?
- Hunter is pronounced ˈhʌn.tɚ. Say it as HUN-ter, with the stress on the "hun" syllable.
- How do you spell Hunter?
- The standard spelling is Hunter. Common spelling variants include Huntyr.
- Is Hunter a boy or girl name?
- Hunter is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Hunter?
- Hunter ranked #130 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.