Granger is a surname of French origin, derived from the word "grange," which means "farm" or "granary." It was originally an occupational name given to someone who worked on a farm or managed agricultural lands.
The surname Granger has a long history dating back to medieval France. In the Middle Ages, surnames were often taken from places of origin, occupations, or physical characteristics. The name Granger falls into the latter category, as it was likely adopted by those who lived and worked on farms.
Over time, the spelling of Granger has varied, with some variations including Grainger, Granier, and Granada. Despite these differences in spelling, all forms of the surname share a common origin and meaning.
Today, Granger is still primarily found in France, although it can also be found in other countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It remains an uncommon surname, with fewer than one million individuals worldwide carrying this name.
In summary, Granger is a French occupational surname that originated from the word "grange." Its history dates back to medieval France, and it has varied spellings over time. Today, it is still predominantly found in France but can also be found in other countries. Despite its rarity, Granger continues to carry its historic association with agriculture and farming.
The name Granger has an intriguing history of popularity in the United States, as reflected in these statistics from 1912 to 2023. Over this period, the number of births with the name Granger has shown fluctuations and trends that offer insight into its perception and usage.
In the early years, from 1912 to 1966, the name Granger maintained a steady but low level of popularity. The highest number of births during this time was 10 in 1953, with most years seeing fewer than 10 births annually. This suggests that Granger was considered a niche or unique choice for parents looking to give their child a distinct name.
Starting from the late 1960s and into the 1970s, there was a slight increase in popularity, with several years seeing between 5 to 8 births annually. This indicates that while Granger remained relatively uncommon, it began to gain some traction among parents as an appealing option.
The turning point for the name Granger occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with a significant increase in popularity. The year 2000 saw 10 births, marking the beginning of this upward trend. This trend continued into the 2010s, with peaks of 62 births in 2015, 187 births in 2020, and 234 births in 2021. This indicates that Granger has become an increasingly popular choice among parents in recent years.
Overall, from 1912 to 2023, there have been a total of 1886 births with the name Granger in the United States. While it started as a relatively uncommon name, its popularity has grown steadily over time, culminating in its peak popularity within the past decade. This trend suggests that parents are increasingly drawn to the unique and distinctive sound of the name Granger for their children.