Barry
Barry is a boy's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Fair-headed, or spear.
Origin and history
Barry is an anglicized form of Gaelic names such as Bairre, Finbar, or Bearach. It gained significant popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century and remains a classic, recognizable masculine name. Today it is less common for newborns but retains a familiar traditional appeal.
Popularity in the United States
181,270 babies in the United States have been named Barry since 1880. It ranks #202 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1246.
States where it is most popular
- PA (11.4 %)
- NY (10.8 %)
- CA (5.9 %)
- IL (4.1 %)
- TX (4.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 28 |
| 1890-1900 | 38 |
| 1900-1910 | 72 |
| 1910-1920 | 244 |
| 1920-1930 | 741 |
| 1930-1940 | 6,644 |
| 1940-1950 | 36,192 |
| 1950-1960 | 54,812 |
| 1960-1970 | 47,221 |
| 1970-1980 | 17,246 |
| 1980-1990 | 9,922 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,224 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,831 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,326 |
| 2020-2029 | 729 |
Famous people named Barry
- Barry Bonds: Baseball Player, Athlete
- Barry Manilow: Singer, Songwriter
- Barry Levinson: Director, Screenwriter
Fun facts
- Barry serves as an anglicization for several distinct Gaelic given names including Bairre and Bearach.
- The name experienced its peak popularity in the United States between the 1940s and 1960s.