Parker is a surname of English origin that has been widely used as a given name in recent years. The name is derived from the Old English word "parc", which means "park". Therefore, Parker originally referred to someone who lived or worked near a park.
The use of Parker as a given name became popular in the United States during the mid-20th century. It was often chosen by parents who were looking for a strong and distinctive name for their sons. Today, Parker remains a popular choice among American parents, although it is also used in other countries around the world.
One famous bearer of the name Parker is the American actor and musician Johnny Parker, who was born in 1938 and rose to fame in the 1960s as part of the duo "Simon & Garfunkel". Another notable figure with the name Parker is the British philosopher and historian Anthony Ashley Cooper, better known by his title as the Third Earl of Shaftesbury. He was born in 1671 and is remembered for his influential writings on aesthetics and morality.
In literature, Parker also appears as a character's surname in several works, including Dashiell Hammett's detective novel "The Maltese Falcon" and Gillian Flynn's psychological thriller "Gone Girl". The name has been used in various forms of media, from movies and television shows to video games, reflecting its enduring popularity and appeal.
Overall, Parker is a strong and distinctive name with an English origin that has gained widespread use as both a surname and given name. Its meaning, derived from the Old English word for "park", adds to its appeal for parents looking for a name with a clear and meaningful origin.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Parker experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over time. From 1880 to around 1960, the number of annual births with the name Parker remained relatively stable and low, ranging from a minimum of 6 births in 1885 to a maximum of 20 births in 1894. However, starting from the late 1960s, there was a notable increase in popularity, with the number of annual births rising steadily. This trend peaked between 2007 and 2013, with over 5000 births each year. Despite a slight decrease after 2014, the name Parker has remained consistently popular, with over 3000 births per year from 2000 to 2022. In total, there have been 123,801 births with the name Parker since 1880.