Gunter is a Germanic masculine given name derived from the Old German elements 'gund' meaning 'battle', and 'heri' translating to 'army'. This name was popular among the Germanic tribes during the Middle Ages, often carried by nobles due to its association with power and strength. In some regions, such as Scandinavia, it has been used as a surname.
The name Gunter experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, with noticeable peaks in certain decades. The 1990s saw a significant rise, with a total of 146 births during that decade alone. However, since then, there has been a decline in its usage, as seen by the single-digit figures from 2003 onwards. Despite this, Gunter continues to be used, with seven births recorded each in 2020 and 2021, and another seven in 2023.