Gary
Gary: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɡæɹ.ɪ/ · /ˈɡæɹ.i/
Meaning and origin of Gary
- A male given name from the Germanic languages, popular from the 1940s to the 1970s; variant form Garry.
Etymology
Medieval short form of Germanic compound names beginning with gari or geri ("spear"), such as Gerard, Garrett, Gerald, or Gerbert. Cognate with the Scottish and Irish name Garaidh. Sometimes also a short form of Gareth. The popularity of the given name in the 20th century is due to the American actor Gary Cooper, whose stage name was invented by his agent, a native of Gary, Indiana.
How popular is Gary?
Since 1880, 3,286 girls and 902,152 boys in the U.S. have been named Gary (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #936 in 1947. Its highest rank for boys was #9 in 1954. In 2025, 201 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Gary
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic boy names
Sibling name ideas for Gary
Sister and brother names that share Gary's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Gary FAQ
What does the name Gary mean?
A male given name from the Germanic languages, popular from the 1940s to the 1970s; variant form Garry. Medieval short form of Germanic compound names beginning with gari or geri ("spear"), such as Gerard, Garrett, Gerald, or Gerbert. Cognate with the Scottish and Irish name Garaidh. Sometimes also a short form of Gareth. The popularity of the given name in the 20th century is due to the American actor Gary Cooper, whose stage name was invented by his agent, a native of Gary, Indiana.
What is the origin of the name Gary?
Gary is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Gary?
Since 1880, 3,286 girls and 902,152 boys in the U.S. have been named Gary (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #936 in 1947. Its highest rank for boys was #9 in 1954. In 2025, 201 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Gary a boy or girl name?
Gary is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 3,286 girls and 902,152 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.