Gary

♂ Boy

Pronounced GAIR-ee /ˈɡɛər.i/High

Meaning: Spear ruler; from Germanic Garhard (gar: spear + hard: brave, hardy) or a short form of names containing gar (spear)Medium

In 30 seconds: A name of Germanic origin meaning 'spear ruler' or 'spear brave,' from gar (spear). A top-10 U.S. boys' name in the 1950s–1960s, Gary now carries the mid-century charm of a whole generation.

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Origin MediumGermanic, English

MeaningSpear ruler; from Germanic Garhard (gar: spear + hard: brave, hardy) or a short form of names containing gar (spear)

U.S. rank (2025)#1073 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births201 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1952

Total births (all-time)≈ 902,139

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

Gary is an English form of the Germanic name Garhard or a short form of names containing gar (spear). The Indiana city was named for Elbert H. Gary, chairman of U.S. Steel. As a given name Gary was popularized partly by actor Gary Cooper.

Gary was a top-10 U.S. boys' name in the 1950s–1960s and has declined sharply. It ranked #1130 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Gary, Indiana — the industrial city that gave us Michael Jackson — was named for Elbert H. Gary, chairman of U.S. Steel, which built the city in 1906. Gary is thus one of the few American cities that can claim direct responsibility for the Jackson family and one of pop music's greatest stars.

Overall data confidence 82%

Behind the Name — Gary — Germanic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

GarryGareth

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Gary Cooper (1901–1961)
American film actor and winner of two Academy Awards, known for High Noon (1952) and Sergeant York (1941). His fame helped popularize the name Gary.

If you like Gary…

Larry— two-syllable -ary ending name from the same mid-century tradition

Barry— two-syllable -ary ending name from the same era

Terry— two-syllable -erry ending name from the same mid-century wave

Perry— two-syllable -erry ending name from the same generation

Harry— two-syllable -arry ending classic from the same mid-century peak

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Gary mean?

Gary means 'spear ruler' or 'spear brave,' from Germanic gar (spear) combined with hard (brave, hardy).

How do you pronounce Gary?

It's said GAIR-ee — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Gary a boy or girl name?

Gary is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Gary?

Gary ranked #1130 for U.S. boys in 2024.