Ranger Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Ranger has its roots in Old French, meaning 'to arrange' or 'to put in order'. It evolved through Middle English and is now commonly associated with those who roam or guard nature. It has gained popularity in the context of outdoor roles and conservation efforts, reflecting traits of adventure and freedom. There is no biblical relevance associated with the name.
The name Ranger is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Ranger has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for male in South, too falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Ranger' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7552nd out of 7552 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8705th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4523rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1785th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Ranger' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Ranger"
Pronunciation
/ˈreɪndʒər/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The term 'ranger' originates from the Old French word 'ranger', which means 'to arrange' or 'to put in order'. It later evolved in English to refer to someone who roams or travels.
Meaning
A person who ranges or roams; a guardian of a forest or park.
Language Evolution
Old French: ranger, Middle English: ranger, Modern English: Ranger
Historical Usage
The name Ranger gained popularity in the 20th century, influenced by its association with outdoor activities and roles in nature conservation.
Variants & Derivatives
Range, Ranging
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Ranger is associated with outdoor adventure, nature, and conservation, evoking a sense of freedom and exploration.
Famous People
Ranger Rick, Ranger Bob
Explore More Ranger Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Ranger"
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 "Ranger"
"Ranger" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 7552nd of 7552 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 8705th of 16616 | 47 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 4523rd of 24088 | 301 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1785th of 23106 | 1,056 |
Regional Popularity of "Ranger" 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) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
45.13% 3300th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
44.50% 1773rd/3984 |
- |
24.30% 1658th/6822 |
27.63% 1734th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Ranger" by Generation for Female 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) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Ranger"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Ranger" 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.