What Does the Name Tanner Mean?
Tanner is a boy's name of English (occupational surname) origin meaning “one who tans hides; leather-worker.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Tanner |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | English (occupational surname) |
| Meaning | one who tans hides; leather-worker |
| Variants | Tanor, Tannor, Taner |
| Popularity | Most popular in the United States, where it peaked as a boys' given name in the late 1980s and 1990s; rarely used as a first name elsewhere. |
The meaning and origin of Tanner
The name Tanner means “one who tans hides; leather-worker” and has English (occupational surname) origins. An English occupational surname turned given name, from Old English 'tannere' (one who tans leather), ultimately from Latin 'tannare'. It became popular as a first name in the United States during the 1980s.
Variants and related names
Tanner is related to several other names you may recognize: Tanor, Tannor, Taner. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Tanner?
Most popular in the United States, where it peaked as a boys' given name in the late 1980s and 1990s; rarely used as a first name elsewhere.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tanner mean?+
The name Tanner means “one who tans hides; leather-worker” and is of English (occupational surname) origin.
What is the origin of the name Tanner?+
Tanner originates from English (occupational surname).
Is Tanner a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Tanner has trended in the US over time.
Tanner by gender
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Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press