US Popularity Rank: 821

Origin: British

Meaning: leather maker

Tanner is part of the boy-band of names starting with “t” and ending with “er” (Tyler, Tayler, Turner, Trever, Topher) that was an especially big hit in the 1990s. It’s also part of the club of occupational names. A tanner was someone who made leather from animal hides, an important job requiring strength and endurance. Tanner, from the Old English tannere, started showing up as a last name in the 12th century. Though it’s not climbing the charts anymore, it’s still very popular in western US states like Wyoming and Montana.