Terry
Terry was the 1116th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 192 babies. Its best year was 1946, when it ranked 26th; the most babies were born in 1957 (15,624). Over the last ten years it has moved down 453 places. More babies were named Terry in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Meaning from Thierry (Theodoric); or short for Terence, Theresa · English, Germanic, Latin
Say it TAIR-ee /ˈtɛɹi/
- Rank in 2025
- #1,116 boys, down 183 places since 2020
- Babies in 2025
- 192boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 195715,624 babies
- Total since 1880
- 521,478babies recorded
What does the name Terry mean?
Terry has several sources. As a surname it comes from the Norman given name Thierry, a form of Theodoric, from Germanic þeud 'people' and rīc 'ruler', as Wiktionary notes. As a first name it is also a short form of Terence (from the Roman family name Terentius) and of Theresa. It was common for both boys and girls in the US in the mid-20th century.
þeud + rīc (Gothic / Old High German, “people + ruler”)
How sure is this? Well established. Which source applies depends on the bearer.
Related names: Terence, Theresa, Terri, Thierry, Derek.
See also: English names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Terry', Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0; facts restated, no text reused)
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Theodoric', DMNES (Durham University)
Terry popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (girls) | Rank (boys) | Babies (girls) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #10,047 | #1,116 | 10 | 192 |
| 2020 | #12,047 | #933 | 8 | 238 |
| 2010 | #6,366 | #498 | 21 | 521 |
| 2000 | #4,176 | #331 | 30 | 847 |
| 1990 | #1,395 | #164 | 114 | 1,893 |
| 1980 | #625 | #101 | 292 | 2,981 |
| 1970 | #269 | #54 | 1,114 | 6,186 |
| 1960 | #101 | #34 | 4,840 | 13,932 |
| 1950 | #127 | #30 | 2,526 | 11,433 |
| 1940 | #331 | #73 | 370 | 2,982 |
| 1930 | #555 | #321 | 152 | 296 |
| 1920 | #1,019 | #514 | 54 | 142 |
| 1910 | #1,162 | #521 | 16 | 30 |
| 1900 | — | #532 | — | 21 |
| 1890 | — | #598 | — | 12 |
| 1880 | — | #632 | — | 10 |
How popular is Terry, counting every spelling?
Terry has no other common spelling that sounds the same. Counting every name's spellings together, it ranks #1,056 for boys in 2025, against #1,116 on the official list.
How many kids will share the name Terry?
192 of the 3,606,400 babies born in the US in 2025 were named Terry (0.05 per 1,000 births). For a boy named Terry born in 2025, the chance that another child with the same name is in a class of 20 children the same age is under 1 in 50. If every grade liked the name as much as the 2025 babies do, only about one elementary school in 44 (of 430 pupils) would have a child named Terry.
Shares of all registered births (NCHS); classes assumed to be children born the same year. How we estimate this.
How old are people named Terry?
About 297,000 people born in the US named Terry are alive today, with a median age of 65; half are between 54 and 72. That makes Terry a name most people associate with older generations.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Terry by state
How common Terry was among boys born in each state in 2021–2025. It is notably more common than nationally in Mississippi (3.0×), Alabama (2.3×), Kentucky (2.0×), Louisiana (2.0×), Michigan (1.9×). In 28 states fewer than five boys a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Terry: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Terry, they share its era and feel.
Middle names for Terry · Sibling names for Terry
Terry is also a nickname for Teresa and Terrance.
Questions about the name Terry
What does Terry mean?
Terry means “from Thierry (Theodoric); or short for Terence, Theresa” (English, Germanic, Latin origin). Certainty: well established.
How popular is the name Terry?
Terry was the 1116th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 192 babies. Its best year was 1946, when it ranked 26th; the most babies were born in 1957 (15,624). Over the last ten years it has moved down 453 places. More babies were named Terry in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Is Terry a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Terry in the US.
Where is Terry most popular?
In 2021–2025, Terry was most common in Mississippi (0.35 per 1,000 boys), followed by Alabama and Kentucky.