Palmer

How to say it

/ˈpɑm.ɚ/

What it means

Medieval English occupational surname for someone who had made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and brought back palm branches as proof (Latin palmarius). Arnold Palmer the golfer and Palmer Lucky the Oculus VR founder are the modern English-language anchors.

Palmer is a medieval English occupational surname from the Latin palmarius, meaning a pilgrim who had made the journey to the Holy Land and brought back palm branches as proof of completion. Palmers were a distinct class within medieval Christianity, sworn to perpetual wandering, often distinguished from other pilgrims by the palm fronds they carried. Arnold Palmer the American golfer (1929-2016, seven major championships, popularized the drink that bears his name) is the dominant 20th-century English-language anchor. Palmer Luckey the founder of Oculus VR is the contemporary tech reference. As a first name Palmer is American and modern: rare before 2000, climbing since. It entered the US top 500 in 2018 and is now firmly unisex. Common short: Pal.

Heads-up notes

• Pop culture

  The Arnold Palmer drink (half iced tea, half lemonade) is a small unconscious anchor for parents who recognize the name from country-club culture.

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.

• Arnold Palmer American golfer, seven major championships, 1929-2016

Spelling variants

• Palmar

Names with the same feeling

• Parker Park keeper
• Harper Harp player
• Carter Driver of a cart
• Sutton Southern settlement

See Palmer from another angle