"pledge, hostage"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Homer
Pronunciation: [ h-OHM-er ]
Does Homer flow with your last name?
Ancient Greece's greatest poet — or TV's most lovable dad
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English
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Homer
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"blind one (folk etymology)"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Homer Simpson, the bumbling cartoon patriarch of The Simpsons (since 1989)
The Story of Homer
Homer is the English form of the ancient Greek name 'Homeros,' whose meaning is disputed. Ancient scholars proposed meanings including 'pledge' or 'hostage' (from Greek 'homeros'), or 'blind one' (from 'ho me horan' — he who does not see), though the latter is a later folk etymology. Homer was the legendary blind poet of ancient Greece credited with composing the Iliad and Odyssey, two of the foundational texts of Western literature.
Homer was a respectable if old-fashioned American name throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, borne by Homer Winslow (the great American painter) and others. The Simpsons (premiered 1989) created an inescapable association with the lovable but dim Homer Simpson, which has made the name almost impossible to use without that reference being invoked.
The ancient Homer's Iliad and Odyssey have shaped Western literature for nearly 3,000 years. Every subsequent epic owes a debt to his foundational work. As a modern name, Homer carries both this immense literary heritage and the warm, comedic shadow of Homer Simpson.
Historical Record
Homer first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 10,141 babies have been named Homer in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Homer is past its peak , currently ranked #4,124 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Homer's Odyssey has been translated more times than any book except the Bible
- Homer Simpson was named after The Simpsons creator Matt Groening's father, Homer Groening
Homer in Other Languages
Greek
Ὅμηρος
Latin
Homerus
French
Homère
Italian
Omero
Spanish
Homero
Popularity Over Time
#4,124
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Homer
W
Winslow Homer
Artist
1836
One of America's greatest painters, known for his seascapes and watercolors of rural and coastal life
H
Homer (the poet)
Writer
Legendary ancient Greek poet traditionally credited with composing the Iliad and the Odyssey, foundational works of West...
Legendary ancient Greek poet traditionally credited with composing the Iliad and the Odyssey, foundational works of Western literature
H
Homer Simpson Fictional
Entertainer
The bumbling but lovable patriarch of the Simpson family in the long-running animated TV series The Simpsons (1989–prese...
The bumbling but lovable patriarch of the Simpson family in the long-running animated TV series The Simpsons (1989–present)
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Compare Homer with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,124
- Total SSA Count
- 26
- Cultural Origins
- Greek American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Home
Hom
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American 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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Homer
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Homer is also used as a girl name, ranked #70927.
View Homer as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Greek)
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Old Cornish origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Homer
What does the name Homer mean?
"pledge, hostage" (from Greek). "blind one (folk etymology)" (from Greek). Homer is the English form of the ancient Greek name 'Homeros,' whose meaning is disputed. Ancient scholars proposed meanings including 'pledge' or 'hostage' (from Greek 'homeros'), or 'blind one' (from 'ho me horan' — he who does not see), though the latter is a later folk etymology. Homer was the legendary blind poet of ancient Greece credited with composing the Iliad and Odyssey, two of the foundational texts of Western literature.
What is the origin of the name Homer?
Homer has Greek, American, and English origins. In Greek, it means "pledge, hostage". In Greek, it means "blind one (folk etymology)".
Is Homer a boy or girl name?
Homer is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4124. As a girl name, it is ranked #70927. Homer is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Homer?
Homer is pronounced h-OHM-er.
How popular is the name Homer?
Homer is currently ranked #4124 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Homer?
Common nicknames for Homer include Home and Hom.
What are good middle names for Homer?
Popular middle name pairings include Homer James, Homer Lee, Homer Dale, Homer Ray, Homer Dean, and Homer Earl.
What are good sibling names for Homer?
Names that pair well with Homer as siblings include Virgil, Achilles, Clio, Odysseus, Penelope, and Hector.
How many syllables does Homer have?
Homer has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Homer a common or rare name?
Homer is an uncommon name, ranked #4124 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Homer?
Are there other spellings for Homer?
Related spellings include Homero.
About the Name Homer
Homer is a boy name with Greek, American, and English origins . The name means "pledge, hostage" in Greek .
Is Homer a boy or girl name? Homer is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,124 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,927. Homer is more commonly used as a boy name.
Homer is currently ranked #4,124 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Homer has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-OHM-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Homer include Home and Hom. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Homer include Homero . 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