Gardner \g(a)-rd-ner, gar-dner\ as a boy's name (also used as girl's name Gardner), is pronounced GARD-ner. It is of Middle English origin, and the meaning of Gardner is "keeper of the garden". Occupational name. In America, there are two distinguished families: the "blind" Gardners famous for the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum in Boston, and the "sighted" Gardiner family famous for Gardiner's Island on Long Island Sound.
Gardner has 8 variant forms: Gard, Gardell, Gardener, Gardenner, Gardie, Gardiner, Gardnar and Gardnard.