Keary

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Keary

Pronounced KEER-ee /ˈkɪr.i/Medium

Meaning: Keary is a variant of Kerry, an Irish name from the surname O Ciardha, based on 'ciar', 'dark' or 'black' - hence 'dark one'. Kerry is also the name of an Irish county, giving the name a strong place association.Low

In 30 seconds: Keary is a variant of Kerry, from an Irish surname meaning 'dark one'. It carries an Irish county's name and a mid-century surname-style feel (said KEER-ee).

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Origin MediumIrish

MeaningKeary is a variant of Kerry, an Irish name from the surname O Ciardha, based on 'ciar', 'dark' or 'black' - hence 'dark one'. Kerry is also the name of an Irish county, giving the name a strong place association.

U.S. rank (1999)#9321 ↘ Falling

1999 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1974

Total births (all-time)≈ 580

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

Keary is a spelling variant of Kerry, an Irish name from the surname O Ciardha ('descendant of Ciar', the dark one). Like many Irish surnames it moved into first-name use, and the Keary spelling gives the familiar Kerry a slightly more distinctive, older look.

Keary was never common in the US, given to only a few dozen boys a year around its mid-1970s peak and fading by the end of the century. It reads as an understated Irish-heritage name with a soft, friendly sound.

Did you know? County Kerry in southwest Ireland took its name from the same 'ciar' root, 'dark', so a boy named Keary quietly carries both an Irish surname and one of Ireland's most scenic counties.

Overall data confidence 55%

References - Keary / Kerry — Variant of Kerry, Irish surname O Ciardha 'dark one'; also County Kerry

Variations

KerryKeareyCaryKearie

Nicknames

KearKee

Famous Bearers

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If you like Keary…

Kerry— the standard name Keary varies, same 'dark one' root

Cary— a comparable soft surname-style boy's name of the era

Corey— another friendly two-beat name of similar feel

Kieran— a fellow Irish name sharing the 'dark' element

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Keary mean?

Keary is a variant of Kerry, from the Irish surname O Ciardha meaning 'dark one'.

How do you pronounce Keary?

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

Is Keary a boy or girl name?

Keary is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Keary?

Keary has always been uncommon, an Irish-heritage variant of Kerry that peaked gently in the mid-seventies.