Terry
Terry: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈtɛɹi/
Meaning and origin of Terry
- A surname originating as a patronymic from the medieval Norman given name Thierry, a cognate of the English Derek.
- A male given name from the Germanic languages transferred back from the surname, or a diminutive of Terence or of any of its alternative forms.
- A male given name from Latin derived from the Latin for the third ("tertius") given to a third child or a child whose name has the suffix III.
- A female given name, diminutive of Teresa or any of its alternative forms.
How popular is Terry?
Since 1880, 96,955 girls and 424,523 boys in the U.S. have been named Terry (19% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #83 in 1955. Its highest rank for boys was #26 in 1946. In 2025, 202 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Terry
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic languages transferred back from unisex names
Terry FAQ
What does the name Terry mean?
A surname originating as a patronymic from the medieval Norman given name Thierry, a cognate of the English Derek. A male given name from the Germanic languages transferred back from the surname, or a diminutive of Terence or of any of its alternative forms. A male given name from Latin derived from the Latin for the third ("tertius") given to a third child or a child whose name has the suffix III. A female given name, diminutive of Teresa or any of its alternative forms.
What is the origin of the name Terry?
Terry is listed as a name of Germanic languages transferred back from origin.
How popular is the name Terry?
Since 1880, 96,955 girls and 424,523 boys in the U.S. have been named Terry (19% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #83 in 1955. Its highest rank for boys was #26 in 1946. In 2025, 202 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Terry a boy or girl name?
Terry is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (96,955 girls and 424,523 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.