Barry Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BAIR-ee //ˈbæri//
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: son of the fairy; English: spear
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Barry has its roots in the Irish name "Bairre," which is derived from the Old Irish word "barr," meaning "top" or "height." This etymological origin reflects a geographical or topographical significance, possibly referring to a hill or elevated place. The name was later adopted into English, likely through the influence of Irish immigrants and the Anglicization of Gaelic names during the 19th century.
The transition from Irish to English saw the name evolve phonetically, leading to its current form, Barry. Historically, the name Barry has been associated with several notable figures, particularly in Ireland.
One significant milestone is the establishment of the Barry family in the 12th century, who were prominent in the Norman invasion of Ireland. The Barrys were known for their influence in the region of Cork, where they held considerable power and land.
Additionally, the name has been borne by various saints, including Saint Barry, who is venerated in some Christian traditions, although specific details about his life remain sparse. Culturally, the name Barry has resonated within Irish heritage, often symbolizing strength and resilience.
It has been used in various literary and artistic contexts, reinforcing its significance in Irish culture. The name also has a diminutive form, "Baz," which has been used informally, though its historical relevance is less pronounced.
Overall, Barry's journey from its Gaelic origins to its adoption in English-speaking contexts illustrates the interplay of language, culture, and history, contributing to its enduring presence.
Famous people named Barry
In this section, you will find notable people named Barry. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Barry who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Barry who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Barry Manilow is a singer-songwriter best known for Copacabana, Mandy, and I Write the Songs.
Barry Gibb is a musician best known as a member of the Bee Gees and for songs like Stayin' Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, and Night Fever.
Barry Levinson is a filmmaker best known for Rain Man, Good Morning, Vietnam, and Diner.
Barry Bonds is a former professional baseball player best known for his time with the San Francisco Giants and holding the record for most home runs in a single season.
Barry White is a singer-songwriter best known for Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe, You're the First, the Last, My Everything, and Love's Theme.
Barry Jenkins is a filmmaker best known for Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk, and The Underground Railroad.
Barry Goldwater is a notable figure best known for his role in the 1964 U.S. presidential election and his influence on the conservative movement.
Fictional characters named Barry
The following list of fictional characters named Barry is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Barry Allen is a fictional character from the comic book series DC Comics. He is known as the Flash, a superhero with super-speed abilities who fights crime and protects Central City.
Barry Goldberg is a fictional character from the TV series The Goldbergs. He is a high school student and the middle child of the Goldberg family, known for his goofy personality and love of pop culture.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Barry, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Barry. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Barry was first seen in the United States in 1883.
Barry has ranked as high as #129 nationally, which occurred in 1962, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, California, Illinois, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Barry has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Barry is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Barry was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Barry.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 114 | 114 | 0 |
| 2024 | 131 | 131 | 0 |
| 2023 | 104 | 104 | 0 |
| 2022 | 124 | 124 | 0 |
| 2021 | 121 | 121 | 0 |
| 2020 | 135 | 135 | 0 |
| 2019 | 144 | 144 | 0 |
| 2018 | 155 | 155 | 0 |
| 2017 | 136 | 136 | 0 |
| 2016 | 170 | 170 | 0 |
| 2015 | 142 | 142 | 0 |
| 2014 | 124 | 124 | 0 |
| 2013 | 103 | 103 | 0 |
| 2012 | 113 | 113 | 0 |
| 2011 | 119 | 119 | 0 |
| 2010 | 120 | 120 | 0 |
| 2009 | 149 | 149 | 0 |
| 2008 | 157 | 157 | 0 |
| 2007 | 159 | 159 | 0 |
| 2006 | 169 | 169 | 0 |
| 2005 | 157 | 157 | 0 |
| 2004 | 175 | 175 | 0 |
| 2003 | 199 | 199 | 0 |
| 2002 | 193 | 193 | 0 |
| 2001 | 210 | 210 | 0 |
| 2000 | 263 | 263 | 0 |
| 1999 | 267 | 267 | 0 |
| 1998 | 301 | 301 | 0 |
| 1997 | 316 | 316 | 0 |
| 1996 | 340 | 340 | 0 |
| 1995 | 353 | 353 | 0 |
| 1994 | 409 | 409 | 0 |
| 1993 | 484 | 484 | 0 |
| 1992 | 479 | 474 | 5 |
| 1991 | 587 | 587 | 0 |
| 1990 | 698 | 693 | 5 |
| 1989 | 705 | 700 | 5 |
| 1988 | 739 | 733 | 6 |
| 1987 | 802 | 791 | 11 |
| 1986 | 859 | 852 | 7 |
| 1985 | 975 | 966 | 9 |
| 1984 | 969 | 962 | 7 |
| 1983 | 1,005 | 993 | 12 |
| 1982 | 1,191 | 1,183 | 8 |
| 1981 | 1,351 | 1,346 | 5 |
| 1980 | 1,409 | 1,396 | 13 |
| 1979 | 1,413 | 1,401 | 12 |
| 1978 | 1,512 | 1,499 | 13 |
| 1977 | 1,468 | 1,458 | 10 |
| 1976 | 1,428 | 1,421 | 7 |
| 1975 | 1,481 | 1,481 | 0 |
| 1974 | 1,571 | 1,563 | 8 |
| 1973 | 1,528 | 1,515 | 13 |
| 1972 | 1,767 | 1,752 | 15 |
| 1971 | 2,372 | 2,359 | 13 |
| 1970 | 2,811 | 2,797 | 14 |
| 1969 | 3,075 | 3,060 | 15 |
| 1968 | 2,866 | 2,854 | 12 |
| 1967 | 3,226 | 3,208 | 18 |
| 1966 | 3,942 | 3,916 | 26 |
| 1965 | 4,341 | 4,324 | 17 |
| 1964 | 5,384 | 5,368 | 16 |
| 1963 | 5,985 | 5,953 | 32 |
| 1962 | 6,611 | 6,585 | 26 |
| 1961 | 6,237 | 6,220 | 17 |
| 1960 | 5,759 | 5,733 | 26 |
| 1959 | 5,625 | 5,601 | 24 |
| 1958 | 5,345 | 5,326 | 19 |
| 1957 | 5,814 | 5,790 | 24 |
| 1956 | 6,009 | 5,988 | 21 |
| 1955 | 5,618 | 5,599 | 19 |
| 1954 | 5,863 | 5,844 | 19 |
| 1953 | 5,195 | 5,182 | 13 |
| 1952 | 5,528 | 5,504 | 24 |
| 1951 | 5,302 | 5,284 | 18 |
| 1950 | 4,709 | 4,694 | 15 |
| 1949 | 4,623 | 4,607 | 16 |
| 1948 | 4,678 | 4,670 | 8 |
| 1947 | 5,493 | 5,472 | 21 |
| 1946 | 4,641 | 4,624 | 17 |
| 1945 | 3,152 | 3,138 | 14 |
| 1944 | 2,988 | 2,979 | 9 |
| 1943 | 3,215 | 3,193 | 22 |
| 1942 | 3,223 | 3,209 | 14 |
| 1941 | 2,477 | 2,465 | 12 |
| 1940 | 1,842 | 1,835 | 7 |
| 1939 | 1,376 | 1,376 | 0 |
| 1938 | 1,052 | 1,042 | 10 |
| 1937 | 731 | 726 | 5 |
| 1936 | 706 | 706 | 0 |
| 1935 | 736 | 729 | 7 |
| 1934 | 523 | 523 | 0 |
| 1933 | 490 | 490 | 0 |
| 1932 | 513 | 513 | 0 |
| 1931 | 304 | 299 | 5 |
| 1930 | 240 | 240 | 0 |
| 1929 | 147 | 147 | 0 |
| 1928 | 141 | 141 | 0 |
| 1927 | 98 | 98 | 0 |
| 1926 | 78 | 78 | 0 |
| 1925 | 69 | 69 | 0 |
| 1924 | 52 | 52 | 0 |
| 1923 | 54 | 54 | 0 |
| 1922 | 36 | 36 | 0 |
| 1921 | 38 | 38 | 0 |
| 1920 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 1919 | 32 | 32 | 0 |
| 1918 | 41 | 41 | 0 |
| 1917 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 1916 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1915 | 34 | 34 | 0 |
| 1914 | 33 | 33 | 0 |
| 1913 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1912 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1911 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1910 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1909 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1908 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1907 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1906 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1905 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1904 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1903 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1901 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1900 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1899 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1898 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1893 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1892 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1891 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1889 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1885 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1884 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1883 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Barry (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 10 | |
| CA | 9 | |
| NY | 8 | |
| NJ | 8 | |
| MI | 8 | |
| TX | 7 | |
| MO | 6 | |
| WA | 5 |