Garner is an English surname and given name of Old French origin, derived from the word 'garnier', which means 'to equip or prepare'. It was originally an occupational name for a provisions merchant or supplier. As a given name, Garner is associated with several notable figures in literature and history, such as American novelist Thomas Garner and English explorer Richard Garner.
The name Garner experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a peak of 92 births in 1932 and a low of 5 births in multiple years including 1881, 1966, and 1992. From the early 1900s to the mid-1940s, Garner was quite popular, with numerous years seeing over 20 births annually. However, since then, its popularity has declined steadily, with fewer than 30 births per year recorded in recent decades.