"one who tells, narrator, counter of money"
Teller
Pronunciation: [ t-EHL-er ]
A crisp occupational surname with storyteller energy
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Teller of Penn and Teller is famous for being mute on stage -- minor association with silence
The Story of Teller
Teller is an English occupational surname originally referring to someone who counted money (a counter or teller), derived from the Middle English tellen meaning to count or to tell. As a first name, Teller follows the popular surname-as-first-name trend and carries the narrative connotation of a storyteller -- one who tells.
Teller as a first name is rare and distinctive, following the trend of occupational surnames used as given names alongside names like Tyler, Carter, and Cooper. Its association with the famous silent magician Teller (of Penn and Teller) gives it a quirky, artistic cachet.
Teller is also the surname of Raymond Joseph Teller, the silent half of the famous magic duo Penn and Teller. Teller is known for performing without speaking on stage, making the name an ironic choice for someone whose title means narrator.
Fun Facts
- Teller of Penn and Teller has maintained a public persona of silence since the 1970s
- The word teller in banking comes from the same root -- to count, to enumerate
- Teller follows other occupational surname names like Tyler (tile maker), Cooper (barrel maker), and Carter (cart driver)
Teller in Other Languages
Famous People Named Teller
Teller (Raymond Joseph Teller)
Entertainer
1948
American magician, silent half of the famous Penn and Teller duo, known for performing without speaking
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,493
- Total SSA Count
- 33
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Teller is also used as a girl name, ranked #17458.
View Teller as a girl name →Similar Names
Same Origin Names (American)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Teller
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About the Name Teller
Teller is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "one who tells, narrator, counter of money" in Middle English .
Is Teller a boy or girl name? Teller is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,493 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #17,458. Teller is more commonly used as a boy name.
Teller is currently ranked #3,493 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Teller has 2 syllables and is pronounced t-EHL-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Teller include Tell. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.