Hunter
Say it: HUN-ter
BoyMeans hunter6 letters2 syllables
#159
in Ireland (2025)
#154 with spellings combined
32
babies in 2025
#93
best rank (2021)
505
babies since 2012
Up 154
10-year rank change
Hunter through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32 | #154 |
| 2024 | 35 | #147 |
| 2023 | 32 | #158 |
| 2022 | 53 | #117 |
| 2021 | 69 | #93 |
| 2020 | 47 | #132 |
| 2019 | 58 | #117 |
| 2018 | 62 | #107 |
| 2017 | 37 | #162 |
| 2016 | 22 | #232 |
| 2015 | 14 | #308 |
| 2014 | 14 | #314 |
| 2013 | 6 | #479 |
| 2012 | 24 | #233 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Hunter mean?
Hunter
English, from the English and Scottish occupational surname Hunter.
Say it right
HUNter
The story of Hunter
Hunter is simply the English word for someone who hunts. It began as an occupational surname in England and Scotland, given to families whose ancestor made a living by hunting, and like many surnames it later became a first name. In English-speaking countries it is used mostly for boys, though sometimes for girls too.
Hunter is one of the newer names on the Irish lists. It reached the CSO list in 2012, with 24 boys, and grew quickly. Its best year was 2021, with 69 boys, when it ranked number 91 on the official CSO list.
It has been more popular in Northern Ireland. There it reached number 70 in 2019, and it was still number 90 in 2025, given to 26 boys.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Hunter (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Hunter (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby Names in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter | 32 | 505 |
In Northern Ireland
#90 in 2025 with 26 babies. Best rank #70 (2019); 366 babies since 2008.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.