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At a Glance
- Meaning
- One who carries goods, or a doorkeeper/gatekeeper
- Origin
- Old French (occupational surname)
- Gender
- Neutral
- Pronunciation
- POR-ter
Porter is a unisex name rooted in an Old French occupational surname, originally used for someone who carried goods or kept watch at a gate as a doorkeeper. It's pronounced POR-ter. For a parent weighing it, that's a name grounded in a real job rather than an abstract idea.
Meaning & Origin of Porter
Meaning: One who carries goods, or a doorkeeper/gatekeeper.
Origin: Old French (occupational surname).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Porter
POR-terIPA /ˈpɔːrtər/
Popularity of Porter
SSA records stretch back to 1880, and that's actually when Porter hit its peak rank of #275, with 38 babies given the name that year. By 2024, it ranked #615, with 463 babies given the name.
Names Like Porter
These names share Porter’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Porter mean?
One who carries goods, or a doorkeeper/gatekeeper. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Porter?
Porter is pronounced POR-ter (IPA: /ˈpɔːrtər/).
Is Porter a popular name right now?
Porter peaked at #275 in 1880 and is ranked #615 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Porter Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Porter, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
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