Holding steady.
Popularity of Leary since 1912
Babies named Leary per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 6 | 5 |
| 1920s | 10 | 43 |
| 1930s | 0 | 50 |
| 1940s | 0 | 61 |
| 1950s | 0 | 24 |
| 1960s | 0 | 11 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Leary is a rare American given name with Irish roots, first recorded in U.S. birth data in 1919. Its usage peaked in 1926, though the name has never been common. The name's trajectory has remained stable over the decades, appearing sporadically without significant rises or falls. As a surname turned given name, it fits a pattern of using Irish family names as first names, but Leary has never seen the wider adoption of names like Riley or Finnegan. No top states show notable usage, reflecting its rarity nationwide.
Leary is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Laoghaire, derived from laoghaire meaning 'calf-herder' or 'keeper of calves'. The name has been used as a given name since the early 20th century, particularly in the United States, but remains rare.
Sibling names for Leary
Names that share Leary's style, for a brother or sister.
