Porter Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Porter Name Meaning

Fact: The name Porter first came to the public in 1086, recorded in Winchester Castle.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Porter Overview

Meaning

Gatekeeper, doorkeeper, porteour

Gender

Boy

Origin

English, French

Etymology

Derived from the Old French word “portier,” meaning “doorkeeper” or “gatekeeper”​.

Pronunciation

/ˈpɔːrtər/

Popularity

Porter is widely recognized in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the USA, it ranked #502 for boys in 2023.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

11 (Intuitive, Idealistic, Spiritual)

Name Styles

Traditional, Vintage, Cool

Associated Traits

Strong, reliable, hardworking, determined

Name Day

April 29 (France)​, October 10th
A Deep Dive

Porter Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Portar, Poarter, Poartar, Portier, Porterre, Portor, Portor, Portyr

Common Nicknames

Port, Porty, Portie, Po, Por, Pory, Orty, Ports, P.T., Ort

Diminutives

Porty, Portie, Po, P.T., Ports, Ortie, Orty, Porti, Por, Pory

Famous People

  • Porter Wagoner
    (American Country Singer)
  • Porter Robinson
    (American DJ)
  • Porter Goss
    (American Politician)
  • Porter Moser
    (American Basketball Coach)
  • Porter Hall
    (American Actor)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Porter Ricks
    ("Flipper," TV Series)
  • Sean Porter
    ("Gridiron Gang," Film)
  • Jane Porter
    ("Tarzan," Disney Film)
  • Porter Wren
    ("Manhattan Night," Film)
  • Porter Scavo
    ("Desperate Housewives," TV Series)

Places

  • Porter County
    (Indiana, USA)
  • Porter Township
    (Pennsylvania, USA)
  • Porter Community
    (Texas, USA)
  • Porter Town
    (Oklahoma, USA)
  • Porter Town
    (New York, USA)
  • Porter Mountain
    (New York, USA)
  • Porter Town
    (Maine, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Porter?

Porter means “gatekeeper,” “porteour,” or “doorkeeper.” This name signifies a person who is responsible and trustworthy, fitting for someone who is dependable and protective.

What Is the Origin of The Name Porter?

The name Porter has English and French origins. It is derived from the Old French word “porteour,” which means “gatekeeper” or “doorkeeper.”

Porter Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Porter in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#4422021#5062022#5022023
Top 3 Rankings#2731880#2761881#2771885

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Porter

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023502
(+4 from 2022)
602
(+10 from 2022)
0.03288
2022506
(-64 from 2021)
592
(-106 from 2021)
0.03161
2021442
(-18 from 2020)
698
(-7 from 2020)
0.03725
2020424
(+54 from 2019)
705
(+93 from 2019)
0.03811
2019478
(-60 from 2018)
612
(-137 from 2018)
0.03185
2018418
(-20 from 2017)
749
(-53 from 2017)
0.03853
2017398
(+21 from 2016)
802
(+54 from 2016)
0.04052
2016419
(-44 from 2015)
748
(-114 from 2015)
0.03693
2015375
(-7 from 2014)
862
(+5 from 2014)
0.04216
2014368
(+15 from 2013)
857
(+79 from 2013)
0.04182
2013383
(+47 from 2012)
778
(+134 from 2012)
0.03850
2012430
(+19 from 2011)
644
(+42 from 2011)
0.03174
2011449
(-3 from 2010)
602
No change from 2010
0.02963
2010446
(+27 from 2009)
602
(+24 from 2009)
0.02930
2009473
(+9 from 2008)
578
(+4 from 2008)
0.02725
2008482
(-8 from 2007)
574
(+8 from 2007)
0.02633
2007474
(+5 from 2006)
566
(+13 from 2006)
0.02555
2006479
(+96 from 2005)
553
(+148 from 2005)
0.02522
2005575
(+53 from 2004)
405
(+69 from 2004)
0.01904
2004628
(+18 from 2003)
336
(+22 from 2003)
0.01590
2003646
(+41 from 2002)
314
(+49 from 2002)
0.01494
2002687
(+75 from 2001)
265
(+40 from 2001)
0.01282
2001762
(+39 from 2000)
225
(+24 from 2000)
0.01088
2000801
(+58 from 1999)
201
(+25 from 1999)
0.00962
1999859
(+338 from 1998)
176
(+73 from 1998)
0.00863
19981197
(+181 from 1997)
103
(+23 from 1997)
0.00508
19971378
(+67 from 1996)
80
(+9 from 1996)
0.00400
19961445
(+31 from 1995)
71
(+6 from 1995)
0.00354
19951476
(-23 from 1994)
65
(-1 from 1994)
0.00323
19941453
(+288 from 1993)
66
(+17 from 1993)
0.00324
19931741
(+343 from 1992)
49
(+12 from 1992)
0.00237
19922084
(-65 from 1991)
37
No change from 1991
0.00176
19912019
(+29 from 1990)
37
(+1 from 1990)
0.00175
19902048
(+368 from 1989)
36
(+9 from 1989)
0.00167
19892416
(-49 from 1988)
27
(+2 from 1988)
0.00129
19882367
(-96 from 1987)
25
No change from 1987
0.00125
19872271
(-110 from 1986)
25
(-1 from 1986)
0.00128
19862161
(-296 from 1985)
26
(-5 from 1985)
0.00135
19851865
(+294 from 1984)
31
(+7 from 1984)
0.00161
19842159
(-371 from 1983)
24
(-7 from 1983)
0.00128
19831788
(+212 from 1982)
31
(+4 from 1982)
0.00166
19822000
(+205 from 1981)
27
(+4 from 1981)
0.00143
19812205
(+331 from 1980)
23
(+4 from 1980)
0.00123
19802536
(+360 from 1979)
19
(+4 from 1979)
0.00102
19792896
(-522 from 1978)
15
(-4 from 1978)
0.00084
19782374
(-703 from 1977)
19
(-13 from 1977)
0.00111
19771671
(+930 from 1976)
32
(+16 from 1976)
0.00187
19762601
(-600 from 1975)
16
(-7 from 1975)
0.00098
19752001
(+49 from 1974)
23
(+2 from 1974)
0.00142
19742050
(-69 from 1973)
21
No change from 1973
0.00129
19731981
(-446 from 1972)
21
(-10 from 1972)
0.00130
19721535
(-41 from 1971)
31
(-2 from 1971)
0.00185
19711494
(+52 from 1970)
33
(+3 from 1970)
0.00182
19701546
(-170 from 1969)
30
(-4 from 1969)
0.00157
19691376
(+17 from 1968)
34
(+3 from 1968)
0.00186
19681393
(+259 from 1967)
31
(+9 from 1967)
0.00175
19671652
(-436 from 1966)
22
(-16 from 1966)
0.00124
19661216
(+38 from 1965)
38
(+1 from 1965)
0.00209
19651254
(+34 from 1964)
37
No change from 1964
0.00195
19641288
(-94 from 1963)
37
(-5 from 1963)
0.00183
19631194
(+320 from 1962)
42
(+15 from 1962)
0.00203
19621514
(-195 from 1961)
27
(-9 from 1961)
0.00128
19611319
(+167 from 1960)
36
(+7 from 1960)
0.00167
19601486
(-184 from 1959)
29
(-7 from 1959)
0.00134
19591302
(-50 from 1958)
36
(-2 from 1958)
0.00166
19581252
(-122 from 1957)
38
(-8 from 1957)
0.00176
19571130
(-97 from 1956)
46
(-7 from 1956)
0.00210
19561033
(-76 from 1955)
53
(-8 from 1955)
0.00247
1955957
(+179 from 1954)
61
(+18 from 1954)
0.00292
19541136
(-34 from 1953)
43
(-1 from 1953)
0.00208
19531102
(-89 from 1952)
44
(-6 from 1952)
0.00220
19521013
(+4 from 1951)
50
(+2 from 1951)
0.00253
19511017
(-83 from 1950)
48
(-6 from 1950)
0.00251
1950934
(-62 from 1949)
54
(-8 from 1949)
0.00297
1949872
(+165 from 1948)
62
(+16 from 1948)
0.00344
19481037
(-131 from 1947)
46
(-13 from 1947)
0.00258
1947906
(+5 from 1946)
59
(+6 from 1946)
0.00318
1946911
(+94 from 1945)
53
(+13 from 1945)
0.00321
19451005
(-1 from 1944)
40
(-2 from 1944)
0.00292
19441004
(-196 from 1943)
42
(-24 from 1943)
0.00302
1943808
(-60 from 1942)
66
(-7 from 1942)
0.00454
1942748
(+91 from 1941)
73
(+16 from 1941)
0.00518
1941839
(-47 from 1940)
57
(-4 from 1940)
0.00454
1940792
(+13 from 1939)
61
(+4 from 1939)
0.00514
1939805
(-75 from 1938)
57
(-13 from 1938)
0.00503
1938730
(+27 from 1937)
70
(+5 from 1937)
0.00616
1937757
(+50 from 1936)
65
(+7 from 1936)
0.00594
1936807
(+74 from 1935)
58
(+7 from 1935)
0.00545
1935881
(-73 from 1934)
51
(-8 from 1934)
0.00477
1934808
(-75 from 1933)
59
(-10 from 1933)
0.00556
1933733
(-11 from 1932)
69
(-5 from 1932)
0.00676
1932722
(-20 from 1931)
74
No change from 1931
0.00689
1931702
(+3 from 1930)
74
(-4 from 1930)
0.00692
1930705
(-37 from 1929)
78
(-6 from 1929)
0.00691
1929668
(-70 from 1928)
84
(-23 from 1928)
0.00758
1928598
(+124 from 1927)
107
(+26 from 1927)
0.00938
1927722
(+9 from 1926)
81
(+5 from 1926)
0.00697
1926731
(-110 from 1925)
76
(-26 from 1925)
0.00663
1925621
(+5 from 1924)
102
(-2 from 1924)
0.00886
1924626
(+61 from 1923)
104
(+16 from 1923)
0.00890
1923687
(-45 from 1922)
88
(-13 from 1922)
0.00777
1922642
(-62 from 1921)
101
(-18 from 1921)
0.00898
1921580
(-12 from 1920)
119
(-1 from 1920)
0.01046
1920568
(-9 from 1919)
120
(+6 from 1919)
0.01090
1919559
(+5 from 1918)
114
(-1 from 1918)
0.01123
1918564
(+2 from 1917)
115
(+7 from 1917)
0.01097
1917566
(-68 from 1916)
108
(-23 from 1916)
0.01126
1916498
(+57 from 1915)
131
(+28 from 1915)
0.01419
1915555
(-58 from 1914)
103
(+6 from 1914)
0.01169
1914497
(+1 from 1913)
97
(+21 from 1913)
0.01420
1913498
(-24 from 1912)
76
(+8 from 1912)
0.01417
1912474
(-33 from 1911)
68
(+24 from 1911)
0.01506
1911441
(-11 from 1910)
44
(+4 from 1910)
0.01823
1910430
(+75 from 1909)
40
(+14 from 1909)
0.01918
1909505
(-76 from 1908)
26
(-5 from 1908)
0.01470
1908429
No change from 1907
31
(+2 from 1907)
0.01863
1907429
(+27 from 1906)
29
(+5 from 1906)
0.01829
1906456
(-110 from 1905)
24
(-11 from 1905)
0.01666
1905346
(+55 from 1904)
35
(+8 from 1904)
0.02444
1904401
(+29 from 1903)
27
(+5 from 1903)
0.01949
1903430
(-93 from 1902)
22
(-11 from 1902)
0.01701
1902337
(+34 from 1901)
33
(+8 from 1901)
0.02486
1901371
(+84 from 1900)
25
No change from 1900
0.02163
1900455
(-93 from 1899)
25
No change from 1899
0.01542
1899362
(-33 from 1898)
25
(-9 from 1898)
0.02170
1898329
(+31 from 1897)
34
(+7 from 1897)
0.02574
1897360
(+20 from 1896)
27
(+1 from 1896)
0.02214
1896380
(+3 from 1895)
26
(+1 from 1895)
0.02014
1895383
(-25 from 1894)
25
(-1 from 1894)
0.01974
1894358
(+1 from 1893)
26
(+1 from 1893)
0.02082
1893359
(-47 from 1892)
25
(-10 from 1892)
0.02065
1892312
(+74 from 1891)
35
(+15 from 1891)
0.02663
1891386
(-41 from 1890)
20
(-6 from 1890)
0.01830
1890345
(+60 from 1889)
26
(+6 from 1889)
0.02172
1889405
(-116 from 1888)
20
(-17 from 1888)
0.01680
1888289
(+172 from 1887)
37
(+23 from 1887)
0.02848
1887461
(-113 from 1886)
14
(-10 from 1886)
0.01281
1886348
(-71 from 1885)
24
(-12 from 1885)
0.02016
1885277
(+98 from 1884)
36
(+14 from 1884)
0.03105
1884375
(-29 from 1883)
22
(-1 from 1883)
0.01792
1883346
(-22 from 1882)
23
(-5 from 1882)
0.02045
1882324
(-48 from 1881)
28
(-4 from 1881)
0.02294
1881276
(-3 from 1880)
32
(-6 from 1880)
0.02955
1880273
First SSA data recorded
38
First SSA data recorded
0.03209

American States Popularity Rankings for Porter

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#1442021#1982022#2012023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#6592021#5882022#5982023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#6992021#7242022#6962023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2722021#3092022#3372023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#4072021#3712022#3942023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#5772021#5442022#5752023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#4092021#5492022#3332023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#4402021#6002022#4902023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3932021#5482022#5052023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#3022021#1982022#3942023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2822021#3462022#4452023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#4512021#4082022#4532023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#3062021#4102022#3562023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2232021#4002022#3802023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3272021#3962022#2242023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#6412021#8142022#10932023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#3452021#8862022#4052023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#5472021#5402022#5772023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#3132021#4462022#4612023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3442021#3142022#4762023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3352020#2742021#4712023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#5282021#5162022#6912023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#4852021#5752022#9132023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3602021#2472022#2692023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#8842021#20042022#7242023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#3502021#3862022#4212023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4052021#2892022#3162023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#5692021#5232022#3232023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#3862021#3972022#3902023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#3512021#4152022#3752023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#6092017#3712021#3962022

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2532019#3212020#3202023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#4082020#7812022#7682023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2452020#2192022#2612023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1772021#1942022#2062023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#5442020#4692021#7482022

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1152017#1802021#2302023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#3512014#3542015#3602018

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3842019#2012021#2622022

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2252021#2692022#2592023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1882015#1992019#2092020

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1772013#1202014#1312019

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#8362018#11002020#11482022

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2482015#2012018#2632021

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#5082007#4552014

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1352017

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4182021

Popularity Rankings for Porter in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3922020

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#9402020#8932021#7172022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Porter a Name for Boys or Girls?

The name Porter fits well for boys, thanks to its strong, professional image.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Porter

Porter in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Porter Wagoner (Country Singer, 1927–2007): An American country music singer known for his flashy suits and introducing Dolly Parton on his television show.
  • Porter Robinson (DJ, 1992): An American DJ and record producer who gained fame with his debut album "Worlds."
  • Porter Goss (Politician, 1938): An American politician who served as the Director of the CIA and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
  • Porter Moser (Basketball Coach, 1968): The head men's basketball coach at Loyola University Chicago.
  • Porter Hall (Actor, 1888–1953): An American character actor known for his roles in films during the 1930s and 1940s.
  • Porter Ricks ("Flipper," 1964 TV Series): A compassionate marine biologist who cares for a dolphin named Flipper.
  • Sean Porter ("Gridiron Gang," 2006 Film): A probation officer who starts a football team at a juvenile detention center to help troubled teens.
  • Jane Porter ("Tarzan," 1999 Disney Film): A kind and intelligent English woman who studies gorillas and falls in love with Tarzan.
  • Porter Wren ("Manhattan Night," 2016 Film): A tabloid writer entangled in a murder investigation.
  • Porter Scavo ("Desperate Housewives," 2004 TV Series): One of the twin sons of Lynette and Tom Scavo, known for his mischievous behavior.
  • Porter County (Indiana, USA): A county in northwest Indiana, part of the Chicago metropolitan area, known for the Indiana Dunes National Park and its ecological significance.
  • Porter Township (Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, USA): A township in Pennsylvania with historical sites like the Juniata Iron Works and Barree Forge and Furnace.
  • Porter Community (Texas, USA): A community in Montgomery County, known for its suburban atmosphere and proximity to Houston.
  • Porter Town (Oklahoma, USA): A small town famous for its peach orchards and the annual Porter Peach Festival.
  • Porter Town (New York, USA): A town located in Niagara County, known for its rural charm and close-knit community.
  • Porter Mountain (New York, USA): A peak in the Adirondack Mountains, offering hiking trails and scenic views.
  • Porter Town (Maine, USA): A town in Oxford County, known for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.

Similar Names to Porter

Sibling Names for Porter

Parents Who Like the Name Porter Also Like

Make sure to share your ideas about the name Porter right in the comment. Also, tell others about this fascinating name to make it more popular.
Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

Expertise

Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

Education

1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
  • Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
  • Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
  • Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.
Facebook