Find out how popular the first name Gary has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gary by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Gary is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Gary being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 203 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Gary.

The history of the first name Gary

The given name Gary is an English masculine name derived from the ancient Germanic name Gari, which is thought to have originated from the Old English word "gār" meaning "spear" or "lance." This name was popular among the Anglo-Saxons and Normans during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest known references to the name Gary can be found in the Domesday Book, a historical record compiled in 1086 for William the Conqueror, which lists several individuals with the name Gari or Garii. However, the modern spelling of "Gary" didn't become common until the 19th century.

In the 11th century, a notable figure named Gary of Bouillon (c. 1060-1100) was a prominent military leader during the First Crusade and played a pivotal role in the capture of Jerusalem in 1099. He was later celebrated as a hero in medieval literature and ballads.

During the Middle Ages, the name Gary was also borne by several members of the English nobility, such as Gary de Furnivall (c. 1235-1261), a Baron of Hallamshire, and Gary de Lacy (c. 1277-1311), the Lord of Rathwyre in Ireland.

As the name spread across Europe, it took on various spellings and forms, including Garry, Gareth, and Garin. In the 12th century, a French knight named Garin le Loherain was the protagonist of a popular chanson de geste (epic poem) that recounted his exploits during the reign of Charlemagne.

Another notable figure was Gary Moore (1952-2011), an influential Irish guitarist and singer-songwriter who was highly regarded for his blues and rock performances. His contributions to the music industry earned him widespread recognition and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Other famous individuals named Gary throughout history include Gary Cooper (1901-1961), an American actor who won two Academy Awards and was a prominent figure in Hollywood's Golden Age, and Gary Numan (born 1958), an English singer-songwriter and pioneer of electronic and industrial music.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Gary was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gary, please contact us.

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