"keeper of the game preserve"
Origin: Middle English
Language: English
Parker
Pronunciation: [ p-AHRK-er ]
Does Parker flow with your last name?
A sharp, modern name with English countryside roots
English
American
Australian
Modern
Strong
Sophisticated
Bold
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"keeper of the park, park ranger"
Origin: Old French (parcier)
Language: English
"park keeper"
Origin: Old French parcier
Language: English
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The Story of Parker
Parker is an English occupational surname that originated as a job title for the keeper of a park or game preserve in medieval England. The Old French word parcier, meaning one who keeps a park, gave rise to the English surname Parker. Like many occupational surnames, it was adopted as a given name in the 20th century, becoming popular for both boys and girls.
Parker rose sharply as a first name for boys in the 1990s and 2000s, riding the wave of surname-as-first-name trends. It consistently ranks in the top 100 and appeals to parents who want something that sounds modern and professional without being invented or unusual.
Parker is quintessentially American in feel, evoking wide open spaces and frontier independence. It has been used for fictional tough-guy characters and has strong associations with the American West through figures like Parker, the professional thief protagonist of Richard Stark novels.
Historical Record
Parker first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 124,637 babies have been named Parker in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Parker is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #97 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Parker Brothers, makers of Monopoly, were named for the Parker family who founded the company in 1883
- Charlie Parker, known as Bird, was one of the greatest jazz musicians of the 20th century
- Parker first entered the US top 100 for boys in 2012
Parker in Other Languages
French
Parker
German
Parker
English
Parker
Spanish
Parker
Popularity Over Time
#97
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Parker
P
Parker Posey
Actor
1968
American actress known as the Queen of the Indies for her roles in independent films
C
Charlie Parker
Musician
1920
Revolutionary jazz alto saxophonist known as Bird, pioneer of bebop
D
Dorothy Parker
Writer
1893
American poet, short story writer, and wit, founding member of the Algonquin Round Table
P
Peter Parker (Spider-Man) Fictional
Other
The secret identity of Marvel Comics Spider-Man, a photographer and science student bitten by a radioactive spider
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Compare Parker with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #97
- Total SSA Count
- 3,605
- Cultural Origins
- English American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Park
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Parker
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Parker is also used as a girl name, ranked #104.
View Parker as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Hebrew via Greek Matthaios origin
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"He will laugh; laughter"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Parker
What does the name Parker mean?
"keeper of the game preserve" (from Middle English). "keeper of the park, park ranger" (from Old French (parcier)). "park keeper" (from Old French parcier). Parker is an English occupational surname that originated as a job title for the keeper of a park or game preserve in medieval England. The Old French word parcier, meaning one who keeps a park, gave rise to the English surname Parker. Like many occupational surnames, it was adopted as a given name in the 20th century, becoming popular for both boys and girls.
What is the origin of the name Parker?
Parker has Middle English, Old French (parcier), Old French parcier, English, American, and Australian origins. In Middle English, it means "keeper of the game preserve". In Old French (parcier), it means "keeper of the park, park ranger". In Old French parcier, it means "park keeper".
Is Parker a boy or girl name?
Parker is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #97. As a girl name, it is ranked #104. Parker is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Parker?
Parker is pronounced p-AHRK-er.
How popular is the name Parker?
Parker is currently ranked #97 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Parker?
Common nicknames for Parker include Park.
What are good middle names for Parker?
Popular middle name pairings include Parker James, Parker Lee, Parker William, Parker Thomas, Parker Alexander, Parker Scott, and Parker Reed.
What are good sibling names for Parker?
Names that pair well with Parker as siblings include Logan, Cooper, Carter, Riley, Quinn, Sawyer, and Hunter.
How many syllables does Parker have?
Parker has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Parker a common or rare name?
Parker is a very popular name, ranked #97 among boy names in the United States.
What boy names are similar to Parker?
Are there other spellings for Parker?
Related spellings include Parks.
About the Name Parker
Parker is a boy name with English, American, and Australian origins . The name means "keeper of the game preserve" in Middle English .
Is Parker a boy or girl name? Parker is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #97 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #104. Parker is more commonly used as a boy name.
Parker is currently ranked #97 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Parker has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-AHRK-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Parker include Park. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Parker include Parks . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis