NameCensus.
Rare

Nery

An English feminine name of uncertain origin but likely derived from the Spanish word "negra".

Name Census estimates that about 1,793 living Americans carry the first name Nery. It appears on both sides of the gender split, with 84.3% of registrations being male. The average person named Nery today is around 21 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Nery births was 2007 (233 babies).

This page is the full Name Census profile for Nery. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.

People living today

1.8K

~ 1 in 191,162 Americans

Peak year

2007

233 babies that year

Average age

21

years old

2024 SSA rank

#3,429

Tracked since 1961

Gender

Gender distribution for Nery

Nery leans heavily male at 84.3% of total registrations, but 287 girls have also been registered with the name over the years, giving it a small but present crossover presence.

84% male
16% female
Male1,538 (84.3%)Female287 (15.7%)

Nery as a male name

  • Ranked #3,429 in 2024
  • 34 male births in 2024
  • Peak: 2007 (222 births)

Nery as a female name

  • Ranked #16,909 in 2023
  • 5 female births in 2023
  • Peak: 1991 (17 births)

Popularity

Nery: popularity over time

The SSA tracks Nery from the 1960s through to the 2020s, spanning 7 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 761 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.

Babies born per year

MaleFemale
058117175233197019801990200020102020

Decades

Nery by decade

The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Nery during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.

DecadeMaleFemaleTotal
1960s055
1970s81725
1980s11163174
1990s21288300
2000s68576761
2010s39018408
2020s13220152

Geography

Where Nerys live

The SSA's state-level files cover 15 states and territories. California, Texas, Illinois recorded the most babies named Nery, while Utah, Tennessee, Oregon recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 56 registrations each.

Origin

Meaning and history of Nery

The given name Nery has its origins in the ancient Greek language, where it was derived from the word "nērē," which translates to "water nymph" or "sea maiden." This name's roots can be traced back to the mythological beings known as Nereids, who were minor sea deities in Greek mythology.

During the classical era, the name Nery held significance as a reference to these mythical creatures, often associated with the beauty and allure of the sea. It was not uncommon for Greeks to name their daughters after these enchanting beings, a practice that emerged from their rich storytelling traditions and reverence for the natural world.

While the name Nery does not appear explicitly in ancient Greek texts or religious scriptures, its connection to the Nereids is well-documented in various works of literature and poetry from that period. Scholars have found references to the name in writings by renowned poets such as Homer and Hesiod, who frequently incorporated mythological figures into their works.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Nery can be found in the writings of the Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century BC. He mentions a woman named Nery, believed to be a priestess or oracle, associated with the island of Delos, which was considered a sacred site in ancient Greek culture.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nery. One such figure was Nery of Arles, a 6th-century Christian martyr and saint venerated in the Catholic Church for her unwavering faith and sacrifice. She was born in Arles, France, around 510 AD and was executed for her religious beliefs during the reign of the Visigothic King Alaric II.

Another prominent figure was Nery Pampillón (1899-1968), a Spanish painter and sculptor known for his vibrant and expressive works that captured the essence of Spanish culture and traditions. His paintings and sculptures can be found in various museums and galleries across Spain and Europe.

In the literary world, Nery Fernández-Cozman (1913-2005) was a renowned Peruvian poet and essayist whose work explored themes of identity, societal issues, and the human condition. Her award-winning poetry collections, such as "Retablo Ilusorio" (Illusory Altarpiece), earned her critical acclaim and a place among the most influential Latin American writers of the 20th century.

Another notable figure was Nery Castro (1938-1992), a Brazilian sculptor and ceramist whose innovative techniques and intricate designs earned her international recognition. Her works, often inspired by nature and indigenous cultures, can be found in prestigious collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Lastly, Nery Burgmuller (1833-1876) was a French Romantic composer and pianist known for his compositions for piano and orchestra. His pieces, such as the famous "25 Études Progressives" (25 Progressive Studies), are still widely used in music education today, showcasing his enduring influence on the world of classical music.

People

Nery + last name combinations

How many people share a full name with Nery as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.

Related

Other names starting with N

Other first names starting with N with a similar number of bearers.

FAQ

Nery: questions and answers

How many people in the U.S. are named Nery?

Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1,793 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Nery going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 191,162 US residents.

Is Nery a common name?

We classify Nery as "Rare". It ranks above 93.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,825 babies have been registered with this name.

When was Nery most popular?

The single biggest year for Nery was 2007, when 233 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Nery is about 21 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.

Is Nery a male name?

Yes, 84.3% of people registered as Nery in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.

Where does this data come from?

First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.

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