Holding steady.
Popularity of Tarry since 1940
Babies named Tarry per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 28 | 90 |
| 1950s | 53 | 111 |
| 1960s | 86 | 134 |
| 1970s | 22 | 50 |
| 1980s | 0 | 28 |
| 1990s | 0 | 12 |
| 2000s | 0 | 5 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Tarry is a rare given name in the United States, first recorded in 1940. Its peak year of usage was 1968, with a mere 5 births, and it has maintained a stable trajectory since then without appearing on any state's popularity lists. The name likely originated as a variant of Terry or as a diminutive of Harry, consistent with the mid-20th century trend of rhyming nicknames (e.g., Barry, Gary, Larry). Despite never ranking in the top 1000, Tarry saw modest use in the 1960s, reflecting a period when similar-sounding names were more common. Today, it remains an uncommon choice, with no significant revival in recent years.
Tarry is predominantly an English surname, originating as a variant of Terry, which itself derives from the Norman name Thierry, from Old High German Theudoric, meaning 'people-ruler.' As a given name, Tarry appears to have been used interchangeably with Terry and as a diminutive of Harry. Its popularity has been minimal, with sporadic usage in the mid-20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tar
Sibling names for Tarry
Names that share Tarry's style, for a brother or sister.
