Hunter
Meaning of Hunter
Hunter is an English name taken from the occupational surname for someone who hunted, whether for food or as a profession. The surname comes from the Old English word hunta, meaning hunter, and the given name carries the same plain meaning. It was established as a family name long before it became a common first name.
It is pronounced HUN-tər, with a short first syllable and an unstressed second.
The most widely known bearer is Hunter S. Thompson, the American journalist and author who helped pioneer New Journalism and Gonzo journalism, notably in his book on the Hells Angels and his Kentucky Derby essay. The name is also borne by singer Hunter Hayes, though Thompson is the more prominent cultural reference.
As a first name, Hunter rose steeply in the late twentieth century. It ranked 548th in 1980, peaked at 35th in 2000, when 12,538 babies received the name, and has since declined to 130th in 2025. That leaves it a familiar choice but far less common than at its turn-of-the-century high, though it remains a familiar presence among boys’ names.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as HUN-tər (/ˈhʌntər/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
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Notable People Named Hunter
| Hunter Stockton Thompson was an American journalist and author who helped pioneer New Journalism and create Gonzo journalism, gaining fame with his immersive Hells Angels book and his Kentucky Derby essay. |
| Hunter Easton Hayes is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who performs across genres and plays more than 30 instruments. |
| Hunter Parrish Tharp is an American actor and singer best known for playing Silas Botwin in the Showtime series Weeds and for his Broadway roles as Jesus in Godspell and Melchior in Spring Awakening. |
