Cher Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Cher originates from French, meaning 'dear' or 'beloved.' It evolved from the French word 'cher' and its diminutive 'Chérie.' The name is associated with traits of affection and endearment. While it has no biblical relevance, it gained significant popularity in the 20th century, primarily due to the influence of the entertainer Cher. Today, it is seen as a name linked to strong cultural significance and empowerment.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Cher"
Pronunciation
/ʃɛr/
Origin
French
Etymology
The name Cher is derived from the French word 'cher,' which means 'dear' or 'beloved.' It can also be a diminutive form of the name Chérie, which translates to 'darling.'
Meaning
dear, beloved, darling
Language Evolution
Cher (French), Chérie (French)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the mid-20th century, especially due to the rise of the American singer and actress Cher, who became a prominent cultural figure in the 1960s and 1970s.
Variants & Derivatives
Cherie, Sherry, Shere
Modern Popularity & Image
Cher is widely recognized as a pop icon, known for her distinctive voice, fashion sense, and contributions to music and film. She is often viewed as a symbol of empowerment and resilience.
Famous People
Cher (singer and actress), Cher Lloyd (singer), Cherie Blair (barrister and author)
📊 Cher Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Cher Name Visualizations
✨ Cher Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 235 peak births in 1972
Geographic Spread
Popular across 23 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Cher"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Cher"
"Cher" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5860th of 16616 | 110 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3016th of 12526 | 285 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1438th of 19264 | 1,165 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 6810th of 27321 | 177 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 17274th of 35406 | 57 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 17606th of 30306 | 37 |
Regional Popularity of "Cher" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
64.56% 2379th/3685 |
- | - |
41.05% 2593rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Cher" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
100.00% 2227th/2227 |
- | - |
63.10% 1751st/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
47.77% 1403rd/2937 |
42.75% 1489th/3483 |
43.04% 1514th/3518 |
35.53% 1437th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
71.54% 4519th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
100.00% 7463rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Cher"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Cher" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Cher" in the United States
The name Cher is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Cher has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Cher' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5860th out of 16616 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3016th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1438th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6810th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 17274th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 17606th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Cher' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.