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Gentry

♂ Boy

Pronounced JEN-tree /ˈd͡ʒɛn.tri/Medium

Meaning: From an English surname derived from the word gentry (Old French genterie), referring to people of good or noble birth.Medium

In 30 seconds: Gentry comes from an English surname rooted in the word 'gentry', from Old French 'genterie', meaning people of good or noble birth.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom an English surname derived from the word gentry (Old French genterie), referring to people of good or noble birth.
U.S. rank (2024)#1598 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births107 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,199

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202118842024

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

History & Origin

Gentry derives from the English word gentry, which came through Old French 'genterie' and referred to those of good or noble birth. As a surname it once marked a connection to that landed class, and it has since crossed into use as a given name. Its meaning ties it to ideas of refinement and standing.

The name shows up in several spellings, including Jentry, Gentri, and Jentrie, that swap letters while keeping the sound. Its crisp, two-syllable shape works easily for either a boy or a girl.

Did you know? Gentry likely reached first-name use through a surname or place-name route, which gives it that modern borrowed-from-history feel.
Overall data confidence 70%
Behind the Name - Gentry — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

JentryGentriJentriJentrieGentrie

Nicknames

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If you like Gentry…

Landry— Another English/French surname-name with a similar two-syllable ending.
Henry— Shares Gentry's sound and its association with rank and standing.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Gentry mean?

Gentry is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Gentry?

It's commonly said JEN-tree /ˈd͡ʒɛn.tri/.

Is Gentry a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Gentry is used as a boy name.

How popular is Gentry?

In 2024, Gentry ranked #1598 in the U.S. for boys, with 107 births recorded.