Ranger

RAYN-jer
French
"forest guardian"

Ranger Origin and Meaning

The name Ranger is a boy's name of French origin meaning "forest guardian".

The list of occupational boys' names continues to expand, and this is one of the latest to ride onto the range. With a hint of cowboy and Western, a sprinkle of preppy surname, an outdoorsy, nature-connected vibe, and a soft-but-strong sound, Ranger has a lot going for it. More than doubling in use over the last decade, it was given to around 120 boys in 2023.

Associated with forest preservation, Dungeons & Dragons, the armed armed forces, and a number of sports teams, Ranger could appeal to a wide range of people and offer up the nicknames Ray and Rain. Plus, it's similar enough to the increasingly (and scarily) heard Danger that it could make a more usable alternative, while still allowing for the (possibly) risky nickname.

Canadian actor AJ Buckley used Ranger Joseph for his son in 2018, as a brother to Willow Phoenix and Bodhi Robert.

# 1779 on Nameberry

Ranger Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Ranger Popularity

Famous People Named Ranger

  • Ranger Joseph Buckley (b. 2018)
    son of Irish,born Canadian actor AJ Buckley, brother to Willow Phoenix; twin to Bodhi Robert

Ranger in Pop Culture

  • Carlos "Ranger" Manoso
    bounty hunter character in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels
  • "The Lone Ranger
    " radio, TV and movie character
  • "Walker
    Texas Ranger," TV show
  • "Ranger Rick
    " children's nature magazine
  • "Power Rangers
    " an American entertainment and merchandising franchise built around a live action superhero television series