Homer
Homer was the 4769th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 21 babies. Its best year was 1893, when it ranked 64th; the most babies were born in 1920 (1,722). Over the last ten years it has moved down 1,153 places. More babies were named Homer in the 1920s than in any other decade.
Meaning Origin uncertain · Greek, English
Say it HOH-mer /ˈhoʊmər/
- Rank in 2025
- #4,769 boys, down 1,160 places since 2020
- Babies in 2025
- 21boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 19201,722 babies
- Total since 1880
- 61,279babies recorded
What does the name Homer mean?
Homer is the English name of the ancient Greek poet Homēros, to whom the Iliad and the Odyssey are credited. The meaning of Homēros is not known; ancient writers already offered competing explanations, and none is accepted. In 19th-century America, where classical names were fashionable, Homer became a common first name. Wiktionary also lists an unrelated English surname Homer, probably for a maker of helmets.
Ὅμηρος (Ancient Greek, “Homēros, the poet; meaning unknown”)
How sure is this? Uncertain. The Greek name's meaning is not known; a separate English surname has its own origin.
Related names: Omero, Homère.
See also: Greek names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Homer', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation)
- Wikipedia, 'Homer (name)', Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation)
Homer popularity since 1880
A few girls are given the name too: 367 since 1894.
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #4,769 | 21 |
| 2020 | #3,609 | 30 |
| 2010 | #4,036 | 25 |
| 2000 | #3,683 | 22 |
| 1990 | #1,493 | 58 |
| 1980 | #864 | 106 |
| 1970 | #603 | 182 |
| 1960 | #449 | 324 |
| 1950 | #288 | 552 |
| 1940 | #185 | 773 |
| 1930 | #146 | 1,172 |
| 1920 | #100 | 1,722 |
| 1910 | #98 | 347 |
| 1900 | #80 | 326 |
| 1890 | #77 | 223 |
| 1880 | #76 | 205 |
How popular is Homer, counting every spelling?
Homer has no other common spelling that sounds the same.
How many kids will share the name Homer?
21 of the 3,606,400 babies born in the US in 2025 were named Homer (0.01 per 1,000 births). For a boy named Homer born in 2025, the chance that another child with the same name is in a class of 20 children the same age is under 1 in 50. If every grade liked the name as much as the 2025 babies do, only about one elementary school in 401 (of 430 pupils) would have a child named Homer.
Shares of all registered births (NCHS); classes assumed to be children born the same year. How we estimate this.
How old are people named Homer?
About 11,900 people born in the US named Homer are alive today, with a median age of 70; half are between 57 and 80. That makes Homer a name most people associate with older generations.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Homer by state
How common Homer was among boys born in each state in 2021–2025. In 49 states fewer than five boys a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Homer: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Homer, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Homer
What does Homer mean?
The origin of Homer is uncertain: the Greek name's meaning is not known; a separate English surname has its own origin.
How popular is the name Homer?
Homer was the 4769th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 21 babies. Its best year was 1893, when it ranked 64th; the most babies were born in 1920 (1,722). Over the last ten years it has moved down 1,153 places. More babies were named Homer in the 1920s than in any other decade.
Is Homer a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Homer in the US.
Where is Homer most popular?
In 2021–2025, Homer was most common in New York (0.03 per 1,000 boys), followed by Texas and Texas.