Fun Facts About the Name Gunter
- 397 babies named Gunter: U.S. records list 397 babies given the name Gunter from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Gunter Mean?
Gunter is a German name and a variant of Gunther, also written Günther. It descends from the Old High German two-part name Gundahar or Guntheri, built from the elements gund (battle, war) and heri (army, host). Taken literally the compound means "battle-army"; the customary English gloss is "battle warrior." The spelling Gunter simply drops the h of Gunther, so it is a spelling variant rather than a name with a separate origin.
Gunter Name History & Origins
The earliest well-known bearer is the Burgundian king Gundahar, recorded in Latin sources as Gundicarius or Gundaharius. He ruled in the Rhineland in the early fifth century and was defeated and killed around 437. This historical king became a legendary figure: in the Middle High German Nibelungenlied he appears as Gunther, king of the Burgundians at Worms, and in Old Norse tradition as Gunnar, a central character in the Völsunga saga and the Poetic Edda.
From the medieval period the name remained in use across German-speaking Europe. Saint Gunther (Günther, died 1045), a monk and hermit in the Bohemian forest, and Gunther, bishop of Bamberg (died 1065), are among the religious figures who carried it. The form Gunter, with the h omitted, is a later German spelling variant. The name traveled to English-speaking countries with German-speaking immigrants and is used there as well, though it is most at home in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Both Gunther and Gunter also serve as surnames.
How Popular is the Name Gunter?
Gunter has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2015. Its best rank was #3,407 in 1964.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #10,041 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2024 | #12,903 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2023 | #10,089 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2022 | #11,347 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2021 | #10,087 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2020 | #9,913 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2019 | #6,919 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2018 | #11,261 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2017 | #7,776 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2016 | #7,308 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2015 | #5,368 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2014 | #7,213 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2013 | #10,027 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2012 | #6,758 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2011 | #11,325 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2010 | #11,224 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2009 | #10,222 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2008 | #7,374 | 11 | 0.0005% |
| 2007 | #7,789 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2005 | #5,988 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2004 | #11,978 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2003 | #7,460 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2002 | #6,711 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2001 | #6,625 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2000 | #4,657 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 1999 | #5,132 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1998 | #4,976 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1997 | #4,532 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 1996 | #5,315 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1995 | #4,903 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1994 | #6,031 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1993 | #4,818 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1992 | #6,941 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1991 | #8,673 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1988 | #4,556 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1983 | #5,737 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1974 | #5,504 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1970 | #3,998 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1968 | #4,357 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1967 | #4,196 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1966 | #4,172 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1965 | #4,131 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1964 | #3,407 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1962 | #4,282 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1960 | #3,470 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1929 | #3,712 | 6 | 0.0006% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Gunter Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are introspective, prophetic, philosophical, and soul searching, but also can be analytical, critical and opinionated. You think deeply and clearly, have an air of mystery, can be solitary and secretive. Emergencies may raise your intuitive abilities in order to resolve conflict or situation. You become very creative under the pressure, and have quite original ideas to make the best out of it.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Gunter's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Gunter's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.