Gary
English · Boy · 2 syllables
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Gary
Gary derives from the Old German name Gerhard or Geri, meaning "spear" (ger) and "hard" (hard), thus signifying "spear-hard" or a strong warrior.
Cross-referenced with Wikidata/Wikipedia. AI-assisted, community-reviewable. Suggest an improvement.
Etymology
Gary derives from the Old German name Gerhard or Geri, meaning "spear" (ger) and "hard" (hard), thus signifying "spear-hard" or a strong warrior. The name became popular in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and Britain during the 20th century, with no specific religious affiliation but used primarily in Christian and secular Western contexts.
Gary currently ranks #1,073 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1952.
Variants & nicknames
Contribute to this name
Help improve this page with a meaning, origin, or correction—and get credited as a contributor.
Share your knowledge about this name—meaning, origin, pronunciation, or correction. Your contribution is reviewed and credited with your name.
Login to contributeWe use Google & Facebook login — no password needed.
Sibling name ideas
English names that sit beautifully beside GarySimilar names you might like
Names starting with GMore names starting with G
- Gabija
- Garrett
- Gayathri
- Gabrielly
- Garrie
- Gage
- Gari
- Gard
- Garreth
- Gaven
- Garima
- Garett
- Garry
- Garth
- Gareth
- Gaby
- Gavrilo
- Gagan
🧬 See Gary's popularity the year you were born →
🔢 Get Gary's free numerology report card →
💫 Is Gary your name? Get your free “My name means…” card →
👶 Have a Gary already? Find sibling names that fit →
Names that sound like Gary
Phonetic match, not just spelling"Gry is a Scandinavian name derived from Old Norse elements meaning "grace" or "favor," likely related to the root "gry"…"
"Gauri derives from Sanskrit गौरी (Gaurī), meaning "fair" or "golden," related to the root "gaura" (गौर) denoting a pale or…"
"Garry is a variant spelling of Gary, derived from the Germanic name Garret or Gerard, meaning "spear hard" or "brave…"
"The given name 'Guru' means "teacher," "master," or "guide," deriving from the Sanskrit root *gur* ("heavy, weighty," implying spiritual authority)."
"Guro is a Scandinavian name derived from Old Norse "Guðrún," combining "guð" (god) and "rún" (secret/rune), meaning "God's secret" or…"
"The name 'Gerry' is a diminutive of 'Gerald' or 'Gerard', meaning "spear ruler" from the Germanic elements *ger* ("spear") and…"
"Garrie is a Scottish diminutive or variant of Gareth or Gary, ultimately derived from the Germanic element "gar" meaning spear,…"
"Geri is a diminutive form of Geraldine, derived from the Germanic name Gerald, meaning "ruler with the spear" (from "ger"…"
"The name 'Gari' is a Basque diminutive of 'Gara' meaning "we are" or a short form of names like 'Gartxot'…"
"The name 'Gouri' (also spelled Gauri) means "fair" or "white" in Sanskrit, derived from the root *gaura*, referring to the…"
"Ger is a diminutive or short form of names beginning with "Ger-" such as Gerard or Gerhard, derived from the…"
"The name 'Guriya' is a diminutive or affectionate form derived from the Sanskrit word *gurī* (गुरी), meaning "doll" or "little…"