Declining since 1985, #5,861 for boys today.
Popularity of Garry since 1880
Babies named Garry per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 27 |
| 1890s | 12 |
| 1900s | 22 |
| 1910s | 153 |
| 1920s | 309 |
| 1930s | 2,115 |
| 1940s | 10,318 |
| 1950s | 18,792 |
| 1960s | 7,404 |
| 1970s | 3,647 |
| 1980s | 2,544 |
| 1990s | 1,237 |
| 2000s | 649 |
| 2010s | 330 |
| 2020s | 111 |
Meaning & origin
The name Garry, a variant spelling of Gary, enjoyed its peak popularity in 1954, when it ranked among the top names for American boys. Since 1985, its usage has been steadily declining, reflecting broader shifts away from mid-century short forms. In 2025, it ranked 5,861 nationally, with roughly 1 in 113,872 male newborns receiving the name. While never as common as its parent form Gary, Garry has a recognizable place in the landscape of vintage boys' names.
Garry is a variant spelling of Gary, which itself is a short form of Gareth or a transferred use of the surname Gary. The name Gary became popular in the mid-20th century, and the variant Garry followed a similar trajectory. Gary is ultimately derived from the Old English elements 'gār' (spear) and 'rīc' (power, ruler), akin to the Germanic root found in names like Gerald and Gerard.
Where Garry is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gaz, G
Sibling names for Garry
Names that share Garry's style, for a brother or sister.
