Derry

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Derry

Pronounced DAIR-ee /ˈdɛr.i/High

Meaning: Derry is an Irish name from doire, 'oak grove' — the root of the city of Derry — and doubles as a friendly short form of Dermot or Derek; the 'oak wood' sense is the primary one.Medium

In 30 seconds: Derry is a bright Irish name meaning 'oak grove', also a short form of Dermot or Derek (said 'DAIR-ee') — an easygoing mid-century boy's name.

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Origin MediumIrish

MeaningDerry is an Irish name from doire, 'oak grove' — the root of the city of Derry — and doubles as a friendly short form of Dermot or Derek; the 'oak wood' sense is the primary one.

U.S. rank (2016)#11065 ↘ Falling

2016 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1957

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,541

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Derry comes from the Irish doire, an 'oak grove', best known as the name of the city in Ulster. As a personal name it also serves as a warm short form of Dermot and of Derek, and its -y ending gives it the casual feel of a mid-century nickname.

As an American given name it had a small run through the middle of the twentieth century, riding the era's taste for breezy -y boys' names like Terry and Barry. It has stayed uncommon and reads today as cheerful and lightly Irish.

Did you know? Derry is the everyday name of a historic Irish city, from the Irish doire, 'oak grove' — so the name carries a whole oak wood inside two friendly syllables.

Overall data confidence 65%

Behind the Name — Derry — Irish doire, oak grove; short form of Dermot/Derek

Variations

DerrieDermot

Nicknames

Der

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Derry…

Terry— a fellow breezy -y boy's name of the same mid-century wave

Barry— shares the two-syllable -y sound and era

Kerry— another Irish-flavored -erry name of the same period

Gerry— matches the casual nickname-style ending and generation

Explore names like Derry

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Derry mean?

Derry is an Irish name from doire, 'oak grove', and also a short form of Dermot or Derek.

How do you pronounce Derry?

It's said DAIR-ee /ˈdɛr.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Derry a boy or girl name?

Derry is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Derry?

Derry has always been an uncommon boy's name in the U.S., with a modest mid-century following.