Gunnar
Gunnar is a boys' name of Norse origin meaning “bold warrior, battle fighter.” It ranked #612 in the United States in 2025. Gunnar derives from Old Norse 'gunnr' (war, battle) and 'arr' (warrior).
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how do you pronounce Gunnar?
GUN-nar
where does the name Gunnar come from?
From the Old Norse Gunnarr, combining battle and warrior; it is related to Gunther, Gunter and Gunder.
Gunnar Hámundarson is one of the most beloved heroes of the Icelandic sagas, described in Njáls saga as the greatest warrior in Iceland, who famously refused to leave his homeland even when exile would save his life.
how popular is this name?
Gunnar has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 35 years since 1991. It peaked at #382 in 2014, and ranked #612 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #612 |
| 2024 | #598 |
| 2023 | #593 |
| 2022 | #589 |
| 2021 | #541 |
| 2020 | #526 |
| 2019 | #497 |
| 2018 | #468 |
| 2017 | #439 |
| 2016 | #400 |
| 2014 | #382 |
| 2010 | #553 |
| 2000 | #574 |
| 1991 | #705 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Gunnar fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Gunnar
In Njáls saga, Gunnar Hámundarson is one of the great heroes of Icelandic literature.
who are famous people named Gunnar?
- Gunnar Hansen (Icelandic-American actor)
- Gunnar Nelson (Icelandic MMA fighter)
what are the nicknames and variants of Gunnar?
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Gunnar?
what names go well with Gunnar?
Sibling names that share Gunnar's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Gunnar
What does the name Gunnar mean?
Gunnar means “bold warrior, battle fighter”.
What is the origin of the name Gunnar?
Gunnar comes from the Norse naming tradition. Related forms include Gunther, Gunter and Gunder.
How popular is the name Gunnar?
Gunnar ranked #612 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2014, at #382, and it has spent 35 years in the top 1,000 since 1991.
Is Gunnar a boy or girl name?
Gunnar is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Gunnar?
Gunnar is pronounced GUN-nar, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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