Khary

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Khary

Pronounced KAR-ee /ˈkɑːr.i/Medium

Meaning: Khary is a modern American given name that emerged in the later twentieth century, especially within African-American families. It is sometimes associated with African naming traditions, but a single documented root is not secure, so we give it an honest coinage read. It is most familiar today through the actor and voice actor Khary Payton.Low

In 30 seconds: Khary is a modern American name (said 'KAR-ee'), sometimes tied to African naming traditions, carried today by actor Khary Payton. Its exact root is uncertain.

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningKhary is a modern American given name that emerged in the later twentieth century, especially within African-American families. It is sometimes associated with African naming traditions, but a single documented root is not secure, so we give it an honest coinage read. It is most familiar today through the actor and voice actor Khary Payton.

U.S. rank (2022)#13405 ↘ Falling

2022 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1977

Total births (all-time)≈ 928

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

Khary is a modern American name that appears from the mid-twentieth century onward, chiefly among African-American families. It is sometimes linked to African naming traditions, though its precise origin is not securely documented; we read it as a coinage rather than assign a false etymology. Its most visible bearer is the actor Khary Payton.

It crested near sixty boys a year around 1977 and has appeared modestly since. A man given it at its peak would be in his forties now, and it reads as a distinctive late-century name with a warm, two-beat sound rather than a traditional form.

Did you know? Khary is best known through actor and voice performer Khary Payton, familiar from The Walking Dead and as the voice of many animated characters.

Overall data confidence 46%

References — Khary — modern coinage; bearer Khary Payton; root uncertain

Variations

Kharey

Nicknames

Khar

Famous Bearers

★Khary Payton (1976–present)
American actor and voice actor, known for The Walking Dead and roles in animation and video games.

If you like Khary…

Kari— a like two-beat name of similar sound

Jabari— a same-era name of African-American use with a warm rhythm

Amari— a like vowel-rich modern boys' name

Cary— a near-homophone with a comparable feel

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Khary mean?

Khary is a modern American name of uncertain root, sometimes linked to African naming traditions.

How do you pronounce Khary?

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

Is Khary a boy or girl name?

Khary is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Khary?

Khary was an uncommon name that saw modest use from the later twentieth century and remains rare.