Whitaker is an uncommon, yet intriguing given name of American origin. It was derived from an Old English surname that meant 'white' and 'spear', implying brightness or brilliance in warfare. The name gained popularity due to its use by notable individuals such as the actor Daniel Day-Lewis's character in the film 'The Boxer', and the former NFL player, Herschel Walker.
The name Whitaker experienced a notable increase in popularity starting around the late 1990s, with a significant jump from fewer than 10 births per year to over 30 by 2009. The peak occurred in 2017 with 57 births, followed by another high of 64 in 2021. Despite some fluctuations, the name has maintained consistent popularity since around 2007, with an overall total of 716 births from 1949 to 2023.