The name Palmer is a girl's name meaning "he who holds the palm; pilgrim".

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With a soft sound, a preppy feel, and a unisex style, Palmer is a last name that's been climbing up the charts for girls in the US. Having entered the Top 1000 in 2018, more recent stats place it in the Top 300. More than four times as many girls received the name than boys in 2023, though Palmer is a name on the rise all round. 
 
An English surname that derives from the Latinpalma, the literal meaning of the name is "one who carries the palm (trees)". On a more symbolic level, it means "pilgrim", because Christian Pilgrims traditionally brought palms with them when they visited the Holy Land. Alternatively, it is linked to Palm Sunday, the week before Easter, when new palms are brought to churches so the old ones may be burnt in time for Ash Wednesday.
 
Palmer might work then for Christian parents wanting a modern sounding name that still reflects their faith, but it could also make a very modern honor name for grandma Pamela. Or, given its long history as a last name and its contemporary style, it could work for anyone who likes it, or for those looking for an alternative to Piper or Harper.

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The name Palmer is currently ranked #232 in U.S. births. and peaked for girls at #232 in 2025. The name is most popular in PALMER, PALMER, and PALMER. Palmer is also used for boys, ranking #995 in 2025 (less popular).

The name Palmer is a boy's name of English origin meaning "pilgrim; one who holds a palm".

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Palmer is a name that derives from the fact that pilgrims often carried palms, thus the double meaning. It's a fresher sounding twist other surname style names, such as Spencer, Carter, Porter and Parker. Despite its long history as a boy's name, Palmer has recently been more successful on the US girls' charts, where it is solidly within the Top 300. Nevertheless, Palmer did make an appearance on the US Top 1000 names for boys in 2023, solidifying it as a potential choice for any gender.

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The name Palmer is currently ranked #995 in U.S. births. and peaked for boys at #386 in 1908. The name is most popular in PALMER, PALMER, and PALMER. Palmer is also used for girls, ranking #232 in 2025 (more popular).

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