Fuller of cloth
Derived from an Old French occupational surname for a person who worked with wool, specifically a 'lanier' or fuller. It was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest and has since evolved into a rare, sophisticated given name. In the American South, it is often associated with the poet Sidney Lanier.
Less common today
Lanier isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #4,915 in 1996.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
19th-century American musician, poet, and author
Civil rights pioneer and first Black sonar technician in the US Navy
Original keyboardist for the band ZZ Top
