Barry
Barry: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈbæɹi/ · /ˈbaɹɪj/
Meaning and origin of Barry
Root meaning: “white”
- A male given name from Irish.
- A surname from Irish derived from the given name, or from place names in Scotland and Wales.
- A diminutive of the male given name Bartholomew.
- A diminutive of the male given name Barack.
Etymology
Anglicized form of Irish Bairre, short form of Fionnbharr, from fionn (“white”) + barr (“head”).
How popular is Barry?
Since 1880, 766 girls and 181,270 boys in the U.S. have been named Barry (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1839 in 1943. Its highest rank for boys was #61 in 1962. In 2025, 114 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Barry
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Irish boy names
Sibling name ideas for Barry
Sister and brother names that share Barry's Irish roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Barry FAQ
What does the name Barry mean?
Barry traces back to a root meaning "white". A male given name from Irish. A surname from Irish derived from the given name, or from place names in Scotland and Wales. A diminutive of the male given name Bartholomew. A diminutive of the male given name Barack. Anglicized form of Irish Bairre, short form of Fionnbharr, from fionn (“white”) + barr (“head”).
What is the origin of the name Barry?
Barry is listed as a name of Irish origin.
How popular is the name Barry?
Since 1880, 766 girls and 181,270 boys in the U.S. have been named Barry (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1839 in 1943. Its highest rank for boys was #61 in 1962. In 2025, 114 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Barry a boy or girl name?
Barry is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 766 girls and 181,270 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.