Derry Unisex
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 |
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.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 1999 | 6 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1996 | 18 |
| 1995 | 12 |
| 1994 | 11 |
| 1993 | 11 |
| 1992 | 5 |
| 1991 | 13 |
| 1990 | 12 |
| 1989 | 11 |
| 1988 | 11 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1986 | 12 |
| 1985 | 23 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1983 | 16 |
| 1982 | 12 |
| 1981 | 9 |
| 1980 | 16 |
| 1979 | 14 |
| 1978 | 11 |
| 1977 | 13 |
| 1976 | 19 |
| 1975 | 17 |
| 1974 | 19 |
| 1973 | 20 |
| 1972 | 22 |
| 1971 | 22 |
| 1970 | 30 |
| 1969 | 14 |
| 1968 | 13 |
| 1967 | 28 |
| 1966 | 21 |
| 1965 | 26 |
| 1964 | 36 |
| 1963 | 28 |
| 1962 | 24 |
| 1961 | 36 |
| 1960 | 35 |
| 1959 | 34 |
| 1958 | 43 |
| 1957 | 50 |
| 1956 | 25 |
| 1955 | 29 |
| 1954 | 26 |
| 1953 | 40 |
| 1952 | 27 |
| 1951 | 34 |
| 1950 | 27 |
| 1949 | 27 |
| 1948 | 25 |
| 1947 | 21 |
| 1946 | 21 |
| 1945 | 22 |
| 1944 | 18 |
| 1943 | 18 |
| 1942 | 14 |
| 1941 | 21 |
| 1940 | 14 |
| 1939 | 15 |
| 1938 | 11 |
| 1937 | 23 |
| 1936 | 20 |
| 1935 | 12 |
| 1934 | 27 |
| 1933 | 14 |
| 1932 | 14 |
| 1931 | 9 |
| 1930 | 10 |
| 1929 | 11 |
| 1928 | 7 |
| 1927 | 6 |
| 1926 | 8 |
| 1925 | 7 |
| 1924 | 10 |
| 1923 | 5 |
| 1922 | 6 |
| 1920 | 7 |
| 1917 | 7 |
| 1915 | 7 |
| 1914 | 6 |