Boy · 13th of 7,552
Gary
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
905,223
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1952
Peak Popularity Year
38,838
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Gary 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
Gary is an Old English name that means 'spear.' It evolved from the Old English word 'gār' and became popular as a given name in the 20th century. The name is associated with strength and tradition but has seen a decline in use in modern times. It does not have a biblical background, and notable figures with this name include actors and athletes.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɡɛəri/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Gary is derived from the Old English word 'gār,' which means 'spear.' It originally served as a surname and later became popular as a given name.
Meaning
Spear
Language Evolution
Old English: Gār, Middle English: Garie, Modern English: Gary
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, and was especially common during the 1930s to 1960s.
Variants & Derivatives
Garry, Garey, Gare
Modern Popularity & Image
Gary is perceived as a classic and somewhat traditional name, though its popularity has declined in recent years.
Famous People
Gary Cooper - American actor, Gary Oldman - English actor, Gary Lineker - English footballer
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 38,838 peak births in 1952
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Montana
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 5 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 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 667th of 7545 | 1,446 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 25th of 6773 | 147,837 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 13th of 7552 | 545,098 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 39th of 10718 | 138,445 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 105th of 16616 | 50,464 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 338th of 24088 | 14,369 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 732nd of 23106 | 4,114 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4569th of 9107 | 67 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1377th of 9204 | 576 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1185th of 12526 | 1,441 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1780th of 19264 | 837 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4175th of 27321 | 358 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 33240th of 35406 | 6 |