Declining since 1985, #8,910 for boys today.
Popularity of Gerry since 1904
Babies named Gerry per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 0 | 12 |
| 1910s | 173 | 82 |
| 1920s | 800 | 252 |
| 1930s | 1,469 | 1,143 |
| 1940s | 2,074 | 2,963 |
| 1950s | 1,249 | 3,900 |
| 1960s | 565 | 2,943 |
| 1970s | 221 | 1,340 |
| 1980s | 62 | 805 |
| 1990s | 44 | 542 |
| 2000s | 0 | 293 |
| 2010s | 0 | 134 |
| 2020s | 0 | 59 |
Meaning & origin
Gerry is a classic midcentury nickname that has fallen steadily in use since its peak in 1958, when it reached rank 8,910 in the U.S. Today, about 1 in 213,510 male newborns receive the name, reflecting its quieter status. The name's trajectory shows consistent decline since 1985, placing it among vintage nickname-style names awaiting possible revival.
Gerry originated as a pet form of Gerald and Gerard, both Germanic compound names. Gerald comes from *ger* (spear) and *wald* (rule), while Gerard combines *ger* with *hard* (brave, strong). The nickname has been used independently since the late 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Where Gerry 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.
“Gerry” around the world
Where Gerry lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Jerry
Sibling names for Gerry
Names that share Gerry's style, for a brother or sister.
