Boy Names That End in -er
- Pepper
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"berry"Description:
There's a football player called Pepper (born Thomas and given the childhood nickname for sprinkling pepper on his cereal) Johnson -- but the name has yet to make waves for boys. Given to around 5 boys each year, the musical link to The Beatle's album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club might appeal to some.
- Dieter
Origin:
German, diminutive of DietrichDescription:
Dieter is a classic German name that got lots of satiric exposure via Mike Myers on "Saturday Night Live" a few years back. If mispronounced, it could conceivably be read as someone on a diet.
- Eliezer
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God helps"Description:
Eliezer is a Biblical name with an air of antiquity, a distinctive sound, and hint of mystery. The name has been in and out of the US Top 1000 since the 80s, with its most recent appearance being in 2023, when it was given to more than 200 babies.
- Schuyler
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"scholar"Description:
This worthy name, imported by the early Dutch colonists, has been all but overpowered by the phonetic spellings -- Skyler for boys and Skylar for girls. With the surnames-as-first-names trend, however, and the popularity of the Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton, which features the Schuyler sisters, perhaps Schuyler might receive some more interest in the coming years.
- Kiefer
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"barrel maker; pine"Description:
Kiefer is a strong occupational surname associated with "24" star Kiefer Sutherland, but one that could well join the other 'er' surnames currently in favor. Keifer is a German surname transferred to first name use, derived from two old Germanic words, kien and forhe, both of which mean "pine tree."
- Kemper
Origin:
German and Dutch surnameMeaning:
"serf; hemp farmer; person from Kempen"Description:
As a given name, Kemper is a rare gender-neutral choice, given to fewer than 50 American babies at last count. It's much more familiar as a surname, as in that of Ellie Kemper, an actor from The Office and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
- Esper
Origin:
DanishMeaning:
"god bear"Description:
Rare Danish variant of Asbjorn or Esben.
- Falkner
Origin:
Occupational nameMeaning:
"falcon trainer"Description:
Member of a newly chic name genre. Bonus: its relationship to author William Faulkner.
- Vetiver
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
The name of a grass plant native to India, which is used in aromatherapy and for its essential oil.
- Palmer
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"pilgrim; one who holds a palm"Description:
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.
- Kharter
Description:
Kharter is a modern masculine name that represents a creative alternative spelling of Carter. The distinctive 'Kh' beginning gives the name a unique, contemporary edge while maintaining the familiar sound of the more traditional spelling. As a recent innovation in naming, Kharter doesn't have historical roots but follows the popular trend of reimagining established names with distinctive orthography. The name likely draws on the appeal of Carter, which originated as an English occupational surname referring to someone who transported goods by cart. Kharter remains quite rare, appealing to parents seeking a familiar-sounding name with a unique written form that stands out on paper while still being recognizable when spoken.
- Callister
Origin:
Variation of Irish surname MacCallisterMeaning:
"son of Alister"Description:
Can be used either with or without the addition of Mac.
- Weaver
Origin:
Occupational nameDescription:
Weaver, which made an appearance as a first name on the U.S. Top 1000 in the late 19th century and then vanished, may rise again along with its occupational brethren, from already-popular choices such as Cooper and Parker to au courant ones like Archer to occupational hotties of the future, including Booker and Sayer.
- Holger
Origin:
Nordic and GermanMeaning:
"island spear"Description:
Derived from the Old Norse elements holmr "island" and geirr "spear". This is a widespread name in Scandinavia, and belonged to a legendary Danish hero, Holger Danske (Ogier the Dane). According to legend, Holger Danske was a fearsome warrior under Charlemagne, who never died but sleeps in the cellar of Kronborg Castle at Elsinore, ready to rise again if Denmark is ever in danger.
- Wonder
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
Not all words work as baby names, but Wonder would transition seamlessly.
- Kessler
Origin:
German surnameMeaning:
"coppersmith"Description:
An interesting new surname option, derived from the German word for "kettle". Kes would make for a cool short form.
- Rohmer
Origin:
German surnameMeaning:
"pilgrim; fame"Description:
Like other stylish choices from Roman to Romy to Romeo, Rohmer is a German surname that relates to both Roman pilgrims and the root word for fame.
- Baer
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bearlike, dweller at the sign of the bear"Description:
Reversed vowels make it seem less fierce.
- Striker
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
Striker is one of the new gang of boys' names that have two syllables, end in -er, spring from words, and have a macho, even aggressive meaning and image. Other examples include Breaker, Heller, and Wilder. Do the world a favor and desist.
- Sayler
Description:
Sayler is a masculine name that appears to be a modern occupational surname-turned-first-name, similar to the more common spelling Saylor. It derives from the Old English word for someone who makes sails or is a sailor. As a first name, Sayler follows the popular trend of using occupational surnames as given names, like Mason, Hunter, or Taylor. The distinctive spelling with a 'y' instead of 'i' gives it a contemporary edge. While still uncommon as a first name, Sayler has gained some traction in recent years, particularly in the United States, appealing to parents looking for names with a professional connotation that sound modern yet have historical roots.