Gary Boy

Popularity: #738 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: GAIR-ee //ˈɡɛəri//

Origin: English; Old French

Meaning: English: spear; Old French: fortified place

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Gary has its roots in Old English and is derived from the Germanic name "Gari," which is believed to mean "spear" or "a form of a spear." The name entered the English language through the Norman influence after the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, where it was adapted from the Old French form. The name gained further traction in the English-speaking world, particularly in the 20th century, although its etymological origins can be traced back to earlier Germanic languages.

Historically, the name Gary has been associated with various notable figures. One prominent example is Gary, a character in the medieval English poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," which dates back to the 14th century.

Additionally, the name has been linked to various saints and historical figures throughout the Middle Ages, although specific instances are less documented. The name's presence in literature and its association with chivalric ideals contributed to its cultural significance during this period.

Culturally, the name Gary has been embraced in various forms, often symbolizing strength and valor due to its connection to the word "spear." This martial connotation has allowed the name to resonate in different contexts, from literature to folklore. The diminutive form "Garry" has also appeared historically, although it is less common.

Overall, the name Gary reflects a blend of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, embodying themes of strength that have persisted through centuries.

Famous people named Gary

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

We also feature individuals named Gary 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.

Gary Oldman is an actor best known for Dracula, The Darkest Hour, and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Gary Sinise is an actor best known for Forrest Gump, CSI: NY, and Apollo 13.

Gary Busey is an actor best known for The Buddy Holly Story, Lethal Weapon, and Point Break.

Gary Numan is a musician best known for Cars, Are 'Friends' Electric?, and Down in the Park.

Gary Vaynerchuk is an entrepreneur and author best known for Crush It!, Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook, and his work with VaynerMedia.

Gary Dourdan is an actor best known for CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, A Different World, and The Weekend.

Gary Payton is a former professional basketball player best known for his time with the Seattle SuperSonics and winning an NBA Championship with the Miami Heat.

Fictional characters named Gary

The following list of fictional characters named Gary 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.

Gary Oak is a fictional character from the Pokémon franchise. He is a rival Pokémon trainer and the grandson of Professor Oak, often challenging the protagonist throughout their journey.

Gary the Snail is a fictional character from the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. He is SpongeBob's pet snail who meows like a cat and often provides comic relief in the series.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gary, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

LarryTerryBarryJerryHarryCarrie

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Gary. 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.

GarryTerryLarryBarryDarrylMurrayRoryCary

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Gary was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Gary has ranked as high as #16 nationally, which occurred in 1952, and has been most popular in California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

In the past 5 years the name Gary has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Gary 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 Gary 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 Gary.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 201 201 0
2024 187 187 0
2023 203 203 0
2022 237 237 0
2021 253 253 0
2020 288 288 0
2019 303 303 0
2018 374 374 0
2017 407 407 0
2016 444 444 0
2015 479 479 0
2014 493 493 0
2013 446 446 0
2012 492 492 0
2011 527 527 0
2010 547 547 0
2009 611 611 0
2008 679 679 0
2007 779 779 0
2006 870 870 0
2005 879 879 0
2004 925 925 0
2003 912 912 0
2002 1,043 1,043 0
2001 1,013 1,013 0
2000 1,168 1,168 0
1999 1,253 1,253 0
1998 1,345 1,345 0
1997 1,333 1,327 6
1996 1,551 1,543 8
1995 1,633 1,625 8
1994 1,903 1,898 5
1993 2,073 2,064 9
1992 2,407 2,393 14
1991 2,684 2,677 7
1990 3,084 3,069 15
1989 3,143 3,127 16
1988 3,270 3,244 26
1987 3,516 3,486 30
1986 3,752 3,719 33
1985 3,847 3,812 35
1984 3,977 3,951 26
1983 4,313 4,266 47
1982 4,685 4,642 43
1981 4,982 4,946 36
1980 5,079 5,037 42
1979 5,090 5,038 52
1978 5,149 5,111 38
1977 5,498 5,447 51
1976 5,630 5,592 38
1975 6,161 6,114 47
1974 6,490 6,444 46
1973 6,898 6,851 47
1972 7,807 7,758 49
1971 9,244 9,190 54
1970 10,780 10,716 64
1969 11,210 11,142 68
1968 12,045 11,973 72
1967 12,679 12,616 63
1966 14,209 14,155 54
1965 15,311 15,259 52
1964 17,267 17,206 61
1963 19,005 18,929 76
1962 20,961 20,884 77
1961 22,268 22,174 94
1960 21,772 21,693 79
1959 23,378 23,303 75
1958 25,351 25,287 64
1957 29,617 29,530 87
1956 31,909 31,842 67
1955 34,520 34,433 87
1954 38,008 37,920 88
1953 37,034 36,967 67
1952 38,839 38,754 85
1951 38,229 38,160 69
1950 33,805 33,737 68
1949 28,990 28,935 55
1948 28,471 28,397 74
1947 30,119 30,029 90
1946 27,010 26,931 79
1945 21,405 21,345 60
1944 20,125 20,058 67
1943 17,926 17,868 58
1942 17,128 17,068 60
1941 14,618 14,568 50
1940 12,617 12,573 44
1939 9,711 9,684 27
1938 8,896 8,861 35
1937 6,801 6,763 38
1936 5,219 5,192 27
1935 4,506 4,490 16
1934 3,369 3,354 15
1933 2,274 2,254 20
1932 1,308 1,295 13
1931 1,004 990 14
1930 728 713 15
1929 542 537 5
1928 239 227 12
1927 130 130 0
1926 114 104 10
1925 120 115 5
1924 90 84 6
1923 85 85 0
1922 78 73 5
1921 95 86 9
1920 81 74 7
1919 89 82 7
1918 79 74 5
1917 79 72 7
1916 72 72 0
1915 84 78 6
1914 59 59 0
1913 40 40 0
1912 44 44 0
1911 25 25 0
1910 16 16 0
1909 12 12 0
1908 26 26 0
1907 16 16 0
1906 16 16 0
1905 16 16 0
1904 11 11 0
1903 8 8 0
1902 18 18 0
1901 10 10 0
1900 9 9 0
1899 8 8 0
1898 7 7 0
1897 13 13 0
1896 13 13 0
1895 12 12 0
1894 10 10 0
1893 7 7 0
1892 15 15 0
1891 6 6 0
1890 11 11 0
1888 6 6 0
1887 7 7 0
1886 7 7 0
1885 7 7 0
1884 5 5 0
1882 10 10 0
1881 6 6 0
1880 6 6 0

Top States for Gary (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
TX 19
14%
CA 19
14%
GA 18
13%
NY 10
7%
OH 9
7%
MN 8
6%
NC 8
6%
TN 7
5%
LA 7
5%
IN 6
4%
MI 6
4%
PA 6
4%
NJ 5
4%
AR 5
4%
IL 5
4%