A 1960s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Kerry since 1920
Babies named Kerry per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 16 | 93 |
| 1930s | 59 | 537 |
| 1940s | 1,463 | 4,054 |
| 1950s | 6,442 | 14,416 |
| 1960s | 12,223 | 15,286 |
| 1970s | 16,123 | 6,662 |
| 1980s | 7,593 | 4,406 |
| 1990s | 3,439 | 2,510 |
| 2000s | 925 | 1,152 |
| 2010s | 293 | 578 |
| 2020s | 99 | 275 |
Meaning & origin
Kerry first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1921 and reached its peak popularity in 1960, when it ranked highest among newborn names. As of the latest data from 2025, the name ranks 2451, with about 1 in 31,056 children receiving the name. Over the past decade, Kerry has been on a rising trajectory since 2020, indicating a modest comeback. Its highest concentration of use has been in Indiana, Florida, and Texas. The name's Irish roots give it a strong cultural resonance, and its unisex quality has kept it in steady if not spectacular use across generations.
Kerry is derived from the Irish county name Ciarraí, which comes from the Gaelic 'Ciar' (meaning 'dark' or 'black') combined with the tribal suffix '-raí', thus 'people of Ciar'. It is also used as an anglicized form of the Irish feminine name Ciara, the female version of Ciarán. The surname Kerry has been in use since the 19th century as a given name for both sexes, gaining popularity in mid-20th-century America.
Where Kerry 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: Ker, Kez
Sibling names for Kerry
Names that share Kerry's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Kerry
Names whose popularity has moved with Kerry's over the last 50 years.
