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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kerry

Kerry

♂ Boy

Pronounced KEHR-ee /ˈkɛɹ.i/Medium

Meaning: Ciar 's peopleMedium

In 30 seconds: Kerry is a boy's name meaning 'Ciar's people', tied to an Irish personal name through English use. It has long crossed easily between boys and girls.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningCiar 's people
U.S. rank (2025)#2464 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births55 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1960
Total births (all-time)≈ 49,966

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196019212025

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

Kerry traces to the idea of the people of Ciar, a name connected to dark or black coloring in its Irish background. In English use it became a given name in its own right, carrying that 'Ciar's people' sense. Its variations Keri, Kerri, and Kerrie are softer respellings that share the same sound.

The name has a light, open finish that has made it popular for both sexes. Bearers range from Miss Universe Kerry Anne Wells to actress Kerry Washington, showing how widely the name has traveled.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Kerry is ' Ciar 's people', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Kerry — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

KeriKerriKerrie

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • ★Kerry Anne Wells (1951–present)
    Australian beauty queen, Miss Universe 1972.
  • ★Kerry Washington (1977–present)
    American actress, played Olivia Pope in the political drama series.

If you like Kerry…

Ciaran— Shares the Ciar root that gives Kerry its 'Ciar's people' meaning.
Kendry— another English name
Gentry— lands in the same popularity range
Kory— lands in the same popularity range
Larry— shares Kerry's English roots

Explore names like Kerry

By themeenglishunisex

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kerry mean?

Kerry is usually explained as meaning ' Ciar 's people' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Kerry?

It's commonly said KEHR-ee /ˈkɛɹ.i/.

Is Kerry a boy or girl name?

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

How popular is Kerry?

In 2024, Kerry ranked #2683 in the U.S. for boys, with 49 births recorded.

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