Gar

Gar is a short, strong masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Scottish Gaelic, it means 'near' or 'short,' while in Old English it referred to a 'spear.' The name also exists as a shortened form of Edgar or Garfield. In nature, the gar is a prehistoric-looking fish known for its toughness and resilience—characteristics that may appeal to parents seeking a name with rugged overtones. Gar's brevity gives it a punchy, memorable quality uncommon in contemporary naming trends. Its simplicity makes it distinctive in an era of longer names. Though relatively rare as a standalone name, Gar has a straightforward masculinity and cross-cultural versatility that might appeal to parents looking for something both traditional and uncommon.

Pronounced GAR.

As of October 2026, Gar ranked #8642 in US births in 1991 SSA, peaked at #2052 in 1958.