Fun Facts About the Name Packard
- 5 babies named Packard: U.S. records list 5 babies given the name Packard from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Packard Mean?
Packard is an English surname used as a given name. Its origin is disputed. The most common explanation makes it a variant of Packer, an occupational surname from Middle English pakken, meaning to pack, with an added final -d; the sense would be a packer of goods or, by extension, a peddler. Another explanation derives it from a Middle English personal name, Packard, formed from a short name such as Pack and the suffix -ard. A third suggestion connects it with Picard, a person from Picardy, but that derivation is less firmly supported.
Because these explanations compete, Packard has no single confirmed literal meaning. A probable occupational sense is often summarized as packer, but it should be understood as an interpretation rather than a certain translation.
Packard Name History & Origins
The surname Packard is found in England in the medieval period. Like most English surnames, it was written in varying spellings before becoming fixed, and Packard overlaps in the records with Packer and similar forms. That overlap is part of why its etymology remains unsettled.
The name is best known in America through the Packard Motor Car Company, founded in Warren, Ohio, in 1899 by James Ward Packard and William Doud Packard. The surname was also borne by David Packard, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard in 1939. These are uses of the surname, not evidence of an old given-name tradition.
As a first name, Packard is uncommon and is best understood as a transferred surname. It has no long independent history as a given name in England.
How Popular is the Name Packard?
Packard 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 1991. Its best rank was #9,228 in 1991.
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 | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | #9,228 | 5 | 0.0002% |
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.
Most Popular Boy Names That Start with P
How the Name Packard Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a power of expression, either in speaking or writing. You are in favor for studying and research. You are clever, clear-sighted and intellectual. You don't like to let others know your true feelings. You might be atheistic or agnostic. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Packard's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Packard's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.