Amery is a unique and distinctive name of English origin. It is derived from the Old French name Amand, which means "protecting hands" or "defending hands". This name was originally given to children born around the time of harvest, as the Old French word for harvest is "amer".
The name Amery has a rich history dating back to medieval England. It was a popular name among the nobility during the Middle Ages and several individuals with this name played significant roles in English history. One notable example is Amery de Montfort, who was a powerful baron and an important political figure in 13th-century England.
Despite its historic roots, the name Amery remains relatively uncommon today. It has not traditionally been among the most popular names for boys in English-speaking countries, but it continues to be used occasionally. Some famous individuals with the name Amery include American actor and musician Cory Amery and British painter Thomas Gainsborough, although there is some debate about whether Gainsborough's middle name was actually Amery or Armstrong.
In summary, Amery is an uncommon but historically significant English name that means "protecting hands" or "defending hands". It has a rich history dating back to medieval England and continues to be used occasionally today. Despite its rarity, the name Amery has a distinctive and memorable sound that makes it stand out from more common names.
The name Amery appears to have experienced peaks and troughs in popularity over the past five decades, with notable spikes in the late 1970s (9 births in 1978), early 2010s (6 births each year from 2011-2013), and most recently in 2017 (7 births). However, there's no consistent upward or downward trend throughout the period analyzed.