Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Keri

Keri

♀ Girl

Pronounced KERR-ee /ˈkɛr.i/High

Meaning: Keri is a spelling of Kerry (from the Irish county Ciarrai, 'people of Ciar,' where Ciar means 'dark; dusky') or of the Welsh Ceri (linked to caru, 'to love'). The two routes overlap in this short name.Low

In 30 seconds: A bright short name: Keri comes from Kerry ('dark; dusky') or Welsh Ceri ('love') — said 'KERR-ee.' Warm and easy.
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowIrish, Welsh
MeaningKeri is a spelling of Kerry (from the Irish county Ciarrai, 'people of Ciar,' where Ciar means 'dark; dusky') or of the Welsh Ceri (linked to caru, 'to love'). The two routes overlap in this short name.
U.S. rank (2024)#12760 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1975
Total births (all-time)≈ 32,047

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197519462024

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

Keri is a spelling of Kerry, from the Irish county Ciarraí ('people of Ciar,' with ciar meaning 'dark'), and it also touches the Welsh Ceri, linked to caru ('to love'). It rose as a friendly short name in the late twentieth century. Routes overlap, which we note (said 'KERR-ee').

It appears occasionally in the U.S., most warmly in the 1970s and 1980s. Familiar, short, and bright.

Did you know? Keri sits between two roots — the Irish Kerry, from a county name meaning 'dark; dusky,' and the Welsh Ceri, tied to caru ('to love'). A short, sunny name with a soft heart (said 'KERR-ee').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Keri — Kerry/Ceri form; Irish 'dark' or Welsh 'love'; routes overlap

Variations

KerryKerriCeri

Nicknames

KerKiki

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Keri…

Kerry— the standard form Keri echoes
Carrie— a like warm short girl's name
Terri— a like -i ending short pick
Karri— a fellow Irish choice
Kambri— another Welsh name

Explore names like Keri

By themeshortirishvintagewelsh
By meaningLove

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Keri mean?

Keri is a form of Kerry (Irish for 'dark; dusky') or Welsh Ceri ('love'). The routes overlap, which we note.

How do you pronounce Keri?

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

Is Keri a boy or girl name?

Keri is used mainly as a girl's name.

How popular is Keri?

Keri is an uncommon name today, most familiar from past decades.

💬 Ask Nia