Boy · 72nd of 7,552
Barry
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
181,921
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1962
Peak Popularity Year
6,610
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Barry stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Barry originates from the Irish name 'Bairre', meaning 'spear' or 'fair-haired'. It has evolved from its historical forms to the modern name Barry. The name is associated with a strong yet gentle image and has no significant biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the early 20th century and continues to be recognized today, attributed to notable personalities.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈbæri/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Barry is derived from the Irish name 'Bairre', which is believed to mean 'spear' or 'fair-haired'. It is also associated with a place name in Ireland, Barr an Chata, meaning 'hill of the battle'.
Meaning
spear, fair-haired
Language Evolution
Bairre, Barry
Historical Usage
The name Barry gained popularity in the early 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, and has remained in use since then.
Variants & Derivatives
Barrie, Bari
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Barry is perceived as traditional and has a classic charm, though it is less common among younger generations.
Famous People
Barry Manilow - American singer-songwriter, Barry Bonds - American baseball player, Barry Gibb - Member of the Bee Gees
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,610 peak births in 1962
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Pennsylvania
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 997th of 7545 | 759 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 135th of 6773 | 23,751 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 72nd of 7552 | 104,040 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 131st of 10718 | 36,008 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 315th of 16616 | 11,868 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 941st of 24088 | 3,067 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1386th of 23106 | 1,586 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3793rd of 9204 | 105 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2545th of 12526 | 375 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4454th of 19264 | 206 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 11006th of 27321 | 80 |