Nery

♂ Boy

Nery Pronunciation

Nery is pronounced NEH-ree /ˈnɛ.ri/High

Meaning: Latin American given name from the surname of St. Philip Neri, the joyful sixteenth-century 'Apostle of Rome'; the surname's own root is uncertainLow

In 30 seconds: A surname canonized into a first name: Nery honors Felipe Neri — Rome's laughing saint, patron of joy — whose name Central America detached and adopted for sons.

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Origin MediumSpanish, Italian

MeaningLatin American given name from the surname of St. Philip Neri, the joyful sixteenth-century 'Apostle of Rome'; the surname's own root is uncertain

U.S. rank (2024)#3429 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births34 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2007

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,538

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Nery entered Latin American naming from San Felipe Neri — Philip Neri (1515–1595), the humor-loving founder of the Oratory whom Rome called its apostle — whose surname (its own Italian root uncertain, possibly from 'black') became a standalone given name, especially in Guatemala and Honduras. Footballers and boxers named Nery dot Central American rosters.

In the U.S. the name is rare and Central American-marked. A first name with a saint's punchline behind it.

Did you know? St. Philip Neri held that 'a joyful heart is more easily made perfect than a downcast one' — naming's funniest saint, he once shaved half his beard to fight his own vanity.

Overall data confidence 68%

Hagiographic references — Philip Neri — name source; surname root uncertain

Variations

NeriNerioFelipe Neri

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nery…

Javier— a fellow saint-surname turned Hispanic first name

Felipe— the saint's own first name beside it

Santos— the companion devotional Spanish name

Santi— another Spanish name

Mauro— shares Nery's Italian roots

→ See all names like Nery

Browse the whole category: All Spanish names → · All Italian names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Nery?

Nery is pronounced NEH-ree (/ˈnɛ.ri/). Press play above to hear Nery said aloud.

How do you say Nery?

Nery is said NEH-ree (/ˈnɛ.ri/). Press play above to hear Nery said aloud.

What does the name Nery mean?

Nery comes from the surname of St. Philip Neri, the joyful 'Apostle of Rome'; the surname's own root is uncertain.

Is Nery a boy or girl name?

Nery is used for both sexes in Latin America, more often for boys; this page covers that use.

How popular is Nery?

Nery is rare in the U.S., most familiar in Guatemalan and Honduran families.