Derry Unisex

Popularity: · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DAIR-ee //ˈdɛri//

Origin: Irish; English

Meaning: Irish: 'oak tree'; English: 'from Derry'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Derry has its roots in the Irish language, derived from the word "doire," meaning "oak grove." This etymology reflects the natural landscape of Ireland, where oak trees were historically significant. The name is often associated with the city of Derry, also known as Londonderry, which is located in Northern Ireland.

The city's name itself has historical implications, as it was founded in the 17th century and reflects the complex interplay of Irish and English influences in the region. Historically, the name Derry has been linked to various notable figures and events.

The city of Derry was a focal point during the Irish War of Independence and has been significant in the context of Northern Irish history, particularly during the Troubles in the late 20th century. The name also appears in various historical texts and documents, underscoring its longstanding presence in Irish culture and identity.

The use of Derry in literature and folklore further cements its importance, as it often symbolizes resilience and community. Culturally, Derry carries connotations of strength and endurance, reflective of the oak trees from which its name is derived.

The oak has been a symbol of strength in various cultures, and this association enhances the name's resonance in Irish heritage. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Derry" can evoke a sense of familiarity and affection, although the name itself stands strong in its original form.

Overall, Derry encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic, historical, and cultural significance, rooted deeply in the Irish landscape and identity.

Famous people named Derry

In this section, you will find notable people named Derry. 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 Derry who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Derry 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.

Derry O'Brien is a musician best known for his work with the band The Frames, and his solo albums.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Derry, 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 Derry. 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 Derry was first seen in the United States in 1914.

Derry has ranked as high as #1059 nationally, which occurred in 1957, and has been most popular in Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Alabama, and South Carolina.

In the past 5 years the name Derry has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Derry 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 Derry was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Derry (1967)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.

State Births Share
GA 5
100%

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 Derry.

YearBirths
20166
20157
20146
200711
20069
20057
20045
200311
20026
20015
20009
19996
19988
19976
199618
199512
199411
199311
19925
199113
199012
198911
198811
19879
198612
198523
198412
198316
198212
19819
198016
197914
197811
197713
197619
197517
197419
197320
197222
197122
197030
196914
196813
196728
196621
196526
196436
196328
196224
196136
196035
195934
195843
195750
195625
195529
195426
195340
195227
195134
195027
194927
194825
194721
194621
194522
194418
194318
194214
194121
194014
193915
193811
193723
193620
193512
193427
193314
193214
19319
193010
192911
19287
19276
19268
19257
192410
19235
19226
19207
19177
19157
19146