Sumner is an American given name, often used for boys but also occasionally used for girls. It originated as an English surname derived from the Middle English word 'sumer', meaning 'summer'. The name Sumner has been popular in the United States since the 19th century, with its peak usage occurring in the early to mid-20th century. Today, it is less common but still used, ranking among the top 3,000 names for boys born in the U.S. annually. The name Sumner does not have any specific associated saints or days of celebration. It is also notable that the American statesman and politician Charles Sumner (1811-1874), who played a significant role in the abolitionist movement, bore this name.
The name Sumner experienced a significant rise and fall in popularity over the given period, with a total of 2414 births recorded between 1880 and 2023. The name's peak occurred around the early 20th century, with a high of 65 births in 1920 and again in 1922. However, it declined sharply thereafter, reaching a low of just 5 births in 1951. Since then, its popularity has fluctuated but remained relatively low, with most years seeing fewer than 20 births. The most recent data shows 11 births in 2023.