Terry
Terry is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Ruler of the people (from Theodoric) or harvester (if short for Teresa).
Origin and history
Terry originated as a medieval English vernacular form of the Norman French name Thierry, derived from the Germanic Theodoric. It has also functioned as a short form for Teresa or Theresa. Although popular as a feminine name in the mid-20th century in the United States, its usage for newborn girls has become rare today.
Popularity in the United States
96,955 babies in the United States have been named Terry since 1880. It ranks #387 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2057.
States where it is most popular
- CA (11.1 %)
- NY (7.1 %)
- TX (7 %)
- IL (4.8 %)
- PA (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 7 |
| 1900-1910 | 53 |
| 1910-1920 | 328 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,173 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,926 |
| 1940-1950 | 13,698 |
| 1950-1960 | 43,194 |
| 1960-1970 | 27,638 |
| 1970-1980 | 5,778 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,951 |
| 1990-2000 | 752 |
| 2000-2010 | 280 |
| 2010-2019 | 133 |
| 2020-2029 | 44 |
Famous people named Terry
- Terry Farrell: Actress, Model
- Terry Moore: Actress
Nicknames
Terri, Teri
Fun facts
- Terry arose independently as a masculine name from Thierry and as a feminine nickname for Theresa.
- Terry was a broad unisex favorite in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s.