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Palmer

PAH-mer; PAHL-mer
English surname and occupational
"he who holds the palm; pilgrim"
Brynn McKeon
By Brynn McKeon
Updated Mon Jul 14 2025

Palmer Origin and Meaning

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

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.

# 258 in the US

Palmer Rank in US Top 1000

# 515 on Nameberry

Palmer Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Popularity of the name Palmer

20 Names Similar to Palmer

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Palmer.

Famous People Named Palmer

  • Palmer Corrine (b. 2017)
    daughter of Cameran Eubanks and Jason Wimberly.

The name Palmer in Pop Culture

  • Palmer Dodge
    character in film "Just Go with It"
  • Laura Palmer
    character on TV's Twin Peaks

The name Palmer in Nameberry Blog Posts