UK boy's name
Garrison
A masculine name derived from the French "garrison", meaning "fort or stronghold".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2006. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Garrison is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Garrison popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2006 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4052, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1997 to 2006. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Garrison. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2007 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Garrison ranked #4052 for boys in England and Wales in 2006, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 3 boys were registered as Garrison.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Garrison as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4052
2006
Births in 2006
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Garrison mean?
The name Garrison has its origins in the English language, derived from the Old French word "garir," meaning "to protect" or "to defend." It is closely related to the English word "garrison," which refers to a group of soldiers stationed in a particular place to guard or defend it.
The earliest recorded use of the name Garrison dates back to the 13th century, when it was used as a surname for individuals who lived near or worked in a military garrison or fortress. Over time, the name transitioned from a surname to a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Garrison was Garrison Frazier, an English soldier who served during the War of the Roses in the 15th century. Another notable figure was Garrison Keillor, an American author, storyteller, and humorist, born in 1942, best known for his radio show "A Prairie Home Companion."
In the realm of literature, the name Garrison appears in several works, including the novel "The Garrison Runner" by Denzel Jones, published in 2015, which tells the story of a young man's journey through the challenges of life in a modern military garrison.
Throughout history, the name Garrison has been associated with a sense of protection, strength, and resilience, reflecting the military connotations of its origins. Some other notable individuals who bore this name include Garrison Courtney, an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Tennessee in the late 19th century, and Garrison Somers, a British explorer and naturalist who documented his travels in the 18th century.
Garrison Wynn, born in 1964, is a contemporary American author and motivational speaker known for his work on leadership and personal development. Additionally, Garrison Rochelle was a prominent African American civil rights activist and community leader in the mid-20th century, known for his efforts in promoting equal rights and social justice.
Through its historical and literary references, the name Garrison has maintained a strong connection to its origins, evoking a sense of protection, defense, and resilience, while also being associated with individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields throughout the ages.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Garrison over time
The chart below shows babies named Garrison registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2006. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Garrison, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2006, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Garrison by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Garrison was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4052 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2859 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Garrison
- George 121,258
- Gabriel 20,581
- Grayson 7,636
- Gregory 2,925
- Guy 2,646
- Gareth 2,092
- Gethin 1,880
- Georgie 1,872
- Gary 1,575
- Gavin 1,422
- Giovanni 1,252
- Grant 1,199
FAQ
Garrison: questions and answers
How popular is the name Garrison in the UK right now?
In 2006, Garrison was ranked #4052 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Garrison most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 3 babies registered as Garrison in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Garrison?
A masculine name derived from the French "garrison", meaning "fort or stronghold".
How many people are called Garrison in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Garrison across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.