baby name FraserThe baby name Fraser feels impeccably, nicely familiar, and a little bit rare.

Thanks to Fran for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

FRASER, FRASIER, FRAZER, FRAZIER

Regardless of spelling, this name started out as a surname.

But it’s not exactly clear where the surname came from, or what it means.

It started out as a Norman name: de Fresel, de Frezel, de Friselle, even de Freseliere.

The ‘de’ suggests a place name, but no village or region in France neatly matches up.

Some speculate that the original name was whispered down the alley by Anglo-Norman scribes, becoming impossible to recognize.

Maybe.

There is a village called Fresles in Normandy, though it’s tiny. And other hints about the family can be found on old maps.

We do know that the name – in some from – likely traveled from France to Scotland.

And there, over the following centuries, it became as Scottish as haggish.

STRAWBERRIES

That hasn’t stopped us from trying to discover the meaning, though.

Some connect it to an Old French word meaning ribbon or braid.

A popular theory is that Fraser refers to strawberries. In French, strawberry is la fraise.

The Fraser coat of arms includes strawberry flowers, and there’s even a story about an early family member gifted strawberries to the king of France, and thus earning the name.

But it seems likely that Fraser came first, and the strawberries added as a play on words.

BY the NUMBERS

Regardless of meaning or origin, Fraser – this spelling – is among the most common surnames in Scotland, right up there with Campbell and Stewart.

But it’s not a given name.

Except that American families do tend to bestow surnames on their children as firsts, especially a mother’s maiden name.

In the US, we find:

  • The baby name Fraser debuted in the US popularity data in 1915. As of 2020, there were 12 boys given the name.
  • Frasier first appeared in 1990, and six boys received the name in 2020.
  • Frazer charts in 1914, but had fewer than 5 boys born in 2020.
  • As for Frazier, it arrived earliest, debuting in 1887. In 2020, there were 16 boys who received the name.

Even tallying up all of the possible spellings, the baby name Fraser remains quite rare.

And yet, it’s instantly familiar.

Thank the small screen for that.

FRASIER CRANE

We first met Dr. Frasier Winslow Crane on the hit sitcom Cheers in the year 1984. The show, set in a bar in Boston, centered on a will-they/won’t-they relationship between bar owner Sam and waitress Diane. At one point, Diane jilted Sam for the far more cultured and sophisticated Frasier.

While it wasn’t the original plan, Frasier became a series regular, even after he and Diane split. In fact, Diane left the show, but Frasier stayed. We eventually meet his new wife, Lilith.

Kelsey Grammer played the character, a well-educated psychiatrist.

After Cheers ended, it’s said that Lilith and Frasier divorced. And Frasier moved home to his native Seattle.

1993 spin-off Frasier featured the doctor launching a radio call-in show where he dispensed advice. We also met his father, Martin, as well as his brother, Niles.

That makes the good doctor one of the longest running fictional characters of all time. After all, Cheers was a smash hit, and Frasier was every bit as big. He won Emmys and Golden Globes playing the part.

But he didn’t move the needle on children being named Frasier – in any spelling.

MORE FAMOUS FRASERS

Of course, plenty of famous figures answered to the surname.

Actor Brendan Fraser and musician Andy Fraser of Free come to mind. Boxer Joe Frazier, world heavyweight champ from 1970 to 1973, left his mark on the name, too.

Outlander fans will think of Jamie Fraser. The first of Diana Gabaldon’s time-hopping novels was published in 1991. So far, nine novels in the series have been released, the most recent in 2021, and a tenth is planned. The television series based on the books debuted in 2014. Season six is set to debut in 2022.

FRASER FIR

Of course, Fraser Fir trees are another famous reference.

Since they’re often used as Christmas trees, it could be a subtle way to acknowledge a baby born over the winter holidays.

Or it might just make the baby name Fraser enough of a nature name for parents already considering Rowan.

THE NEXT ACT

If two pop culture sensations can’t persuade parents to consider the baby name Fraser for their boys, is it set to remain a rarity?

Maybe. But consider that Cheers/Frasier and the Outlander novels debuted some time ago.

And the 1980s and 90s were early days for surname names.

Looking at the most popular boy names from the 1980s, only Tyler makes the Top 50, at #48.

By the 1990s, Tyler ranks #9 and Cameron #46. Surname-ish choices, like Cody and Dylan, also make the Top 50.

Now, though? The 2010s saw Mason at #5, Logan at #14, Jackson at #19, Carter at #30, Landon at #44, and Hunter at #47.

Surnames – completely unconnected from our families and heritages – have become completely mainstream.

That opens the door for the baby name Fraser.

SPIRITED SCOT

As it happens, CBS recently announced that a Frasier reboot is coming to Paramount+ in 2022.

Could it be just enough to push this name into the mainstream?

With plenty of spirit and an on-trend sound, Fraser seems like the kind of undiscovered gem that parents could embrace – particularly if honoring Scottish roots matters.

What do you think of the baby name Fraser?

First published on January 24, 2012, this post was revised and re-published on April 20, 2022.

baby name Fraser

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

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What do you think?

11 Comments

  1. I had a math teacher in junior high whose surname was Fraser. It still echoes in my mind the way she described it: “Like ‘eraser,’ with an F!” Bad math flashbacks = no likey the name.

  2. I like the name Frasier, but I grew up on Frasier Crane so it’s a very strong association for me. I kind of can’t think of Frasier without automatically thinking Frasier Crane. It’s a nice name, but if I ever used a name from that show it would be for the adorably nerdy heartthrob Niles 🙂

  3. Fraser is the family name of the main characters in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. Since each of the novels are over 1000 pages, I’ve been reading the series off and on for well over 3 years now. I think in that time I have subconsciously fallen in love with the name Fraser. It’s that perfect balance between familiar and yet uncommon.

  4. Funny how little used it is in the US, while it’s not that rare here in the UK. I’ve encountered more than one little Fraser in the last few years. I love its strawberry connotations.

  5. I saw a wedding in Martha Stewart Weddings where the mother of the bride (a friend of Martha’s) was named Memrie Fraser (first and middle name) and her daughter (the bride) Memrie Fraser went by Fraser. I thought it sounded very cool on a girl. I just found the link to the wedding when I was checking to see if the name was spelled right!
    https://qa.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/marthas-special-weddings?lpgStart=1&currentslide=4&currentChapter=1

    1. Oh wow, I remember seeing that! That was a long time ago, right? The names certainly made an impression on both of us!

  6. Fraser is great! The pronunciation seems like it might be an issue, but maybe not, depending on whether or not you implement the “i.”
    Also, out on Canada’s west coast, we have the magnificent Fraser River – the longest river in Brithish Colombia, named for explorer Simon Fraser. The river runs right past the city of Vancouver.

  7. This is a nice, unusual name! I grew up on Fraiser Crane, so would love that reference 🙂 also, for parents looking for not too obvious nature name, this is perfect.