Boy · 391st of 7,552
Gerry
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
21,117
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1957
Peak Popularity Year
636
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Gerry stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Gerry originated from the Old French name Garin, which has Germanic roots meaning 'spear friend'. It has evolved through various forms including Gerhard and has become a popular diminutive in modern times. The name is associated with friendly traits and has no biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɡɛri/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
Gerry is derived from the Old French name 'Garin', which itself comes from the Germanic elements 'ger' meaning 'spear' and 'win' meaning 'friend'.
Meaning
spear friend
Language Evolution
Garin, Gerhard, Gerry
Historical Usage
Gerry gained popularity as a diminutive form of Gerald and other names beginning with 'Ger' during the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Gerald, Gerard, Gerry
Modern Popularity & Image
Gerry is often seen as a friendly and approachable name, commonly used in informal settings.
Famous People
Gerry Adams, Gerry Rice, Gerry Anderson
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
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 636 peak births in 1957
Geographic Spread
Popular across 44 US states, with strongest presence in Indiana
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 13 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 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1953rd of 7545 | 262 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 470th of 6773 | 2,842 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 391st of 7552 | 6,964 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 637th of 10718 | 2,662 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1260th of 16616 | 1,129 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3418th of 24088 | 452 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 6645th of 23106 | 149 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1157th of 9107 | 751 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 545th of 9204 | 2,937 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 886th of 12526 | 2,435 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2707th of 19264 | 439 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 10037th of 27321 | 95 |