The origin of surnames can be traced back to medieval times when a person’s name alone couldn’t distinguish them from others in their community. As a result, surnames arose as a way to identify and track individuals. Today, surnames are still very significant in our society, and some have become more common than others. One such last name is Tanner. In this article, we will explore the rarity of the last name Tanner and its interesting history.
The Origins of the Last Name Tanner
The last name Tanner can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period in England. During this time, surnames were often derived from people’s occupations, and Tanner was no exception. Tanner was used to refer to individuals who worked as leather tanners, turning animal hides into leather through a complex process of soaking in tannic acid.
In the 13th century, when the use of surnames became more widespread, Tanner was a common choice for those in the leather trade. It eventually made its way to other countries as well, such as the United States, where it is still used as a last name today.
The Rarity of the Last Name Tanner
While Tanner may not be the most common last name in the United States, it is not considered a rare name either. According to the latest data, Tanner is ranked #709 in terms of the most common surnames in America. This means that out of the over 300 million people in the country, approximately 52,000 of them carry the last name Tanner.
To put this in perspective, the most common last name in America is Smith, with over 4 million people carrying the name. Jones, Johnson, Williams, and Brown are also among the most common last names in America.
However, just because Tanner isn’t the most common last name in America doesn’t mean that it isn’t an important and respected name. In fact, many people with the last name Tanner have made significant contributions to society.
Prominent People with the Last Name Tanner
Throughout history, many people with the last name Tanner have made significant contributions in various fields. Here are just a few examples:
Matthew Tanner
Matthew Tanner was the former president and CEO of the Children’s Museum of Denver, where he helped to create a museum that was interactive and engaging for children of all ages.
John Tanner
John Tanner was a Mormon pioneer and author who wrote about his experiences traveling across the United States and settling in Utah.
Alfred Tanner
Alfred Tanner was an American football coach who coached at the college level for over 40 years, including 11 years at the University of Wyoming.
Amos Tanner
Amos Tanner was a famous American fiddler known for his unique sound and style. He has been described as one of the most influential fiddlers of the 20th century.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the last name Tanner is not the most common in America, it is not considered rare either. Its history can be traced back to medieval England and is closely linked with the leather trade. The name has also been carried by many prominent individuals, who have made significant contributions in their respective fields.
FAQ
Is Tanner a rare name?
Tanner is a name that has gained some popularity over the years, but depending on how you define “rare”, it can certainly fall into that category. According to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) list of top baby names, Tanner has consistently ranked in the top 300 names for boys since the early 1990s. However, in 2020, it ranked as the 294th most popular name out of all baby boy names, which means it’s not particularly common.
To put the popularity of the name Tanner into context, it may be helpful to consider the actual number of babies given that name. In 2020, there were 1,288 baby boys named Tanner, which means that only one out of every 2,070 baby boys born that year were named Tanner. In contrast, the top boy name of 2020, Liam, was given to a total of 19,659 babies, which means that one out of every 157 baby boys was named Liam.
If we look at the data over a longer period, we can see that Tanner’s popularity has fluctuated somewhat. In the early 2000s, the name was more popular than it is now, with a peak ranking of #90 in 2000. However, in recent years, its ranking has been steadily declining, with 2020 being one of its lowest rankings in decades.
It’s worth noting that while Tanner is more commonly used as a boy’s name, it has also been given to girls. However, it is significantly less common for girls, with only 37 females given the name in 2020. This means that it is incredibly rare for baby girls to be named Tanner, with only one out of every 34,892 baby girls receiving the name in 2020.
While Tanner may not be the most popular or common name, it is not necessarily extremely rare either. Its popularity has fluctuated over the years, but it remains a somewhat popular choice for parents. Tanner could be considered a moderately rare name, especially when compared to the more popular names like Liam or Noah.
Where is the Tanner family from?
The Tanner family has gained significant popularity due to their appearance on the popular American sitcom “Full House.” However, when it comes to their origins and hometown, most people are curious about where the Tanners are actually from.
William “Bill” Tanner and Hertha Tanner grew up in Salt Lake City and Sandy, Utah. William became an oral surgeon and Hertha a homemaker. In 1960, they tied the knot in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Soon after, the couple moved to California where Bill started his dental practice in Hayward.
During the time that “Full House” was being filmed, Bill and Hertha Tanner were residing in Hayward with their children: Judy, Justin, Valen, Clelen, and Kylan. The Tanner children quickly shot to fame due to their appearance on the show. However, it’s important to note that while the children portrayed the characters of “Full House” as being from San Francisco, the Tanners, in reality, were not from there.
It’s worth mentioning that the Tanner family has remained fairly private when it comes to their personal lives. Therefore, there is limited information available about their upbringing, family background, and current whereabouts. However, we do know that they can trace their roots back to the state of Utah, where Bill and Hertha Tanner spent a significant part of their early lives before becoming residents of California.
While the Tanner family made San Francisco their fictional home on the show “Full House,” their true roots are in Utah. Bill and Hertha Tanner spent their early years in Salt Lake City and Sandy before relocating to California, where they raised their children and became prominent members of the community.
What is the #1 most common name?
When it comes to determining the most common name, there are a few different factors at play. One obvious consideration is the country or region in question – what might be considered a common name in one place could be quite rare in another. Additionally, names can go in and out of fashion over time, meaning that the most common name today might not have been so popular in the past.
That being said, if we take a look at the most recent data regarding popular baby names in the United States, we can get a sense of which names are currently the most common. According to the Social Security Administration’s list of most popular baby names for 2022, the #1 name for boys is Liam, while the top spot for girls goes to Olivia.
It’s worth noting that the rankings on this list are determined by the total number of babies given each name, rather than by the percentage or proportion of babies with that name. In other words, just because Liam is the #1 name for boys doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s extremely common – it could be that there are simply a lot of different boys names that people are choosing from.
That being said, Liam and Olivia have been popular names for several years running, so it’s fair to say that they are indeed among the most common names currently being given to babies in the United States. Whether they will continue to hold that position in the years to come remains to be seen, but for now, parents looking for a name that’s both popular and on-trend might want to consider one of these two options.
What is Tanner slang for?
In British slang, the term “tanner” was commonly used to refer to a sixpence, which is a pre-decimalization coin that was in circulation in the United Kingdom before 1971. The word tanner is believed to have originated from the Romani language, where “tawno” means small or little. The use of the term tanner to refer to sixpence became popular in the early 1900s and continued to be used until the coin was taken out of circulation in 1980. The slang term could be found in a range of contexts, from everyday conversations to literature and music. In fact, many songs from the mid-20th century reference the tanner as a unit of currency, such as “Knees Up Mother Brown,” a popular Cockney song that includes the line, “Any old iron, any old iron, any any old iron…you look neat, talk about a treat, you look so dapper from your napper to your feet, dressed in style, brand-new tile, and your father’s old green tie on, we’ll go down the Lane, to see the kaiser’s men, any old iron, any old iron, any, any, any old iron…You pop along the stall, where the watches hang in chains, a genuine diamond pennyworth does not cost any old gains, you don’t know what the motto is, nor what the crest is worth, you don’t know how to spell a watch, and you don’t know what the time is worth. Any old iron.” As British currency has evolved, the slang term tanner has become less common, but it remains a well-known phrase that is associated with bygone days.
How many people named Tanner?
The Tanner surname is a popular name in the United States and has a history that dates back to the early settlers. To determine the number of people named Tanner, various sources can be used such as census data, genealogy records, and public record directories.
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the Tanner surname appeared 48,813 times, making it the 572nd most common surname in the country. The census data also provides information on the distribution of the surname in different states and counties. For instance, in Utah, Tanner was the fifth most common surname, while in Massachusetts, it was the 422nd most common name.
Another way to estimate the number of people named Tanner is to use statistical models. Based on the frequency of the surname in the U.S. population, if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 16.55 would have the surname Tanner. However, this number is only an estimate and can vary based on factors such as the demographics of the population being sampled and the timeframe of the analysis.
Beyond census data and statistical models, genealogy records and public record directories can also provide insight into the number of people named Tanner. Genealogy websites such as Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.com allow users to search for Tanner family trees and find individuals with that surname. Meanwhile, public record directories like Whitepages.com and Spokeo.com enable users to search for individuals by name and location, providing yet another way to determine how many people are named Tanner in a given area.
While it’s impossible to know the exact number of people named Tanner, various sources can be used to estimate its prevalence in the United States. Whether through census data, statistical models, genealogy records or public record directories, these sources allow for a better understanding of the history and distribution of the Tanner surname.
What is the female version of Tanner?
When it comes to finding a female version of Tanner, there are a few options to consider. Historically, Tanner has been a masculine name with its origins as a surname. It derives from the English word tanner, which referred to someone who tanned leather.
However, in recent years, there has been a trend of using traditionally masculine names for girls. This has led some parents to consider using Tanner as a name for their daughters. While there is not an official female version of the name Tanner, there are a few options to consider.
One option is to simply use the name Tanner for a girl. This may not be a traditional choice, but it can work well for parents looking for a non-frilly, gender-neutral name.
Another option is to use a variation of Tanner that has a more feminine sound. For example, the name Tana is a Greek name that has a similar sound to Tanner but has a more pleasant meaning. Tana means “to gather” or “to weave,” making it a great choice for parents who want a unique name that has a positive connotation.
Alternatively, parents could consider using a name that has a similar meaning to Tanner. For example, the name Ariana means “very holy” or “like silver.” This name could be a great choice for parents who like the idea of a name with a strong meaning.
The decision of what to name a child is a personal one that should be based on what feels right for the parents and the child. While there may not be an official female version of Tanner, there are plenty of options to consider when choosing a name for a baby girl.
