Kerry Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Kerry originates from Irish roots, with a meaning related to darkness. It evolved from the Old Irish 'Ciarraí' and has seen various forms over the centuries. While it lacks biblical relevance, it emerged as a popular name in the 20th century, often viewed as friendly and approachable. Notable figures with the name include Kerry Washington and Kerry Katona.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Kerry"
Pronunciation
/ˈkɛri/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Kerry is derived from the name of a county in Ireland, which is believed to come from the Gaelic word 'Ciarraí,' meaning 'the people of Ciar.' Ciar was a mythological figure in Irish lore.
Meaning
dark or black
Language Evolution
Ciarraí (Old Irish), Ciarraige (Medieval Irish), Kerry (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Kerry gained popularity as a given name in English-speaking countries during the 20th century, particularly in the United States and Australia.
Variants & Derivatives
Keri, Kerrie
Modern Popularity & Image
Kerry is often perceived as a unisex name that conveys a sense of friendliness and approachability in contemporary culture.
Famous People
Kerry Washington, Kerry Katona, Kerry Packer
📊 Kerry Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Kerry Name Visualizations
✨ Kerry Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 3,127 peak births in 1960
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Massachusetts
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Kerry"
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 of "Kerry"
"Kerry" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3876th of 7545 | 69 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 613th of 6773 | 1,746 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 191st of 7552 | 26,671 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 263rd of 10718 | 12,990 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 491st of 16616 | 5,997 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1333rd of 24088 | 1,819 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2543rd of 23106 | 619 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7086th of 9107 | 16 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1472nd of 9204 | 509 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 340th of 12526 | 12,878 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 199th of 19264 | 23,924 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 420th of 27321 | 9,361 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1852nd of 35406 | 1,687 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 5531st of 30306 | 277 |
Regional Popularity of "Kerry" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
32.15% 497th/1546 |
30.53% 475th/1556 |
35.19% 828th/2353 |
29.22% 452nd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
7.68% 171st/2227 |
8.07% 196th/2430 |
7.15% 204th/2853 |
6.38% 177th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
8.07% 237th/2937 |
8.30% 289th/3483 |
6.45% 227th/3518 |
8.63% 349th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
13.89% 512th/3685 |
12.00% 537th/4475 |
7.26% 377th/5194 |
11.70% 739th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
42.78% 1960th/4582 |
28.39% 1466th/5164 |
14.14% 1034th/7313 |
25.41% 1896th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
71.52% 3209th/4487 |
28.77% 1963rd/6822 |
47.63% 2989th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Kerry" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
65.39% 1011th/1546 |
63.05% 981st/1556 |
77.52% 1824th/2353 |
53.26% 824th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
13.61% 303rd/2227 |
11.98% 291st/2430 |
17.74% 506th/2853 |
9.37% 260th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
6.30% 185th/2937 |
3.39% 118th/3483 |
8.13% 286th/3518 |
6.31% 255th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
11.34% 418th/3685 |
4.74% 212th/4475 |
10.88% 565th/5194 |
10.35% 654th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
48.21% 2209th/4582 |
15.12% 781st/5164 |
33.50% 2450th/7313 |
34.99% 2611th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
100.00% 6822nd/6822 |
94.39% 5924th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Kerry"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Kerry" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Kerry" in the United States
The name Kerry is most popular in Massachusetts, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Kerry has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Kerry' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3876th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 613th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 191st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 263rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 491st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1333rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2543rd out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 7086th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1472nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 340th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 199th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 420th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1852nd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5531st out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Kerry' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.