Kramer

Kramer is a surname of German origin. It derives from the occupational term Krämer, in Middle High German meaning a merchant, grocer, or shopkeeper. The spelling Kramer is the common Anglicized form; Krämer is still used in German-speaking areas. In English, the name is usually pronounced KRAM-er; in German, it is pronounced KRAH-mer.

As a surname, Kramer is widespread in Germany, Austria, and among populations with German ancestry. It has also become common in the United States and other countries due to immigration, often with variant spellings such as Kraemer.

Notable people with the surname include Larry Kramer (1935–2020), an American playwright, author, and LGBTQ rights activist. The name appears across various fields, including arts, science, and academia, reflecting its broad distribution among German-speaking communities and their descendants.

In fiction, Cosmo Kramer is a central character on the American television sitcom Seinfeld, notable for his eccentric personality and improvisational style.

In other uses, Kramer Electronics is an Israeli-based manufacturer of audiovisual equipment. The title Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) is a notable film based on Avery Corman's novel of the same name, highlighting a pivotal custody dispute.

Overall, Kramer functions as a common surname with German roots and appears in cultural, commercial, and literary contexts.