Declining since 2020, #1,808 for boys today.
Popularity of Gentry since 1884
Babies named Gentry per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 5 |
| 1890s | 0 | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 | 13 |
| 1910s | 0 | 128 |
| 1920s | 0 | 181 |
| 1930s | 5 | 142 |
| 1940s | 5 | 142 |
| 1950s | 0 | 175 |
| 1960s | 6 | 232 |
| 1970s | 104 | 300 |
| 1980s | 238 | 319 |
| 1990s | 283 | 380 |
| 2000s | 410 | 506 |
| 2010s | 1,084 | 1,003 |
| 2020s | 642 | 761 |
Meaning & origin
Gentry entered the U.S. naming pool in 1884, initially as a rare surname choice. It saw a notable surge in the 2010s and reached its peak popularity in 2021, though its trajectory has been falling since 2020. As of 2025, it ranks 1808th nationally, with about 1 in 19,410 newborns receiving the name. The name is most common in Mississippi, Kentucky, and South Carolina. Its use reflects a broader trend of English surnames transitioning to given names, particularly in the southern United States.
Gentry is a surname turned given name, derived from the Old French 'genterise' meaning 'nobility of birth' or 'gentility'. It entered English as a term for the upper social class, and began to be used as a first name in the late 19th century, particularly in the American South.
Where Gentry 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: Gen, Genny, Gent
Sibling names for Gentry
Names that share Gentry's style, for a brother or sister.
