Kerry is a unisex given name of Irish origin, derived from the Irish word "Ciarrai," which refers to the county located in the southwest of Ireland known as County Kerry. The name Kerry itself has no specific meaning or translation, but it is strongly associated with the Irish culture and heritage.
The popularity of the name Kerry can be traced back to the mid-20th century when it started to gain recognition among parents looking for unique and meaningful names for their children. In the United States, for example, its usage peaked in the 1970s and 1980s before declining somewhat in recent years.
Historically, Kerry was more commonly used as a male given name, but it has since become popular as a female name as well. Despite this shift, the name remains strongly associated with Irish culture and heritage for both boys and girls.
In terms of its usage, Kerry is considered quite rare compared to other names, making it a distinctive choice for parents looking for something unique for their child. However, because of its association with County Kerry in Ireland, it may be particularly appealing to families with Irish ancestry or those interested in Irish culture and heritage.
Overall, the name Kerry offers a strong connection to Irish history and culture while providing a unique and memorable option for parents seeking a distinctive name for their child.
The name Kerry has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the years, as evidenced by the birth statistics in the United States from 1921 to 2023.
In the early decades of the 20th century, the name Kerry was quite rare. Between 1921 and 1940, there were fewer than 22 births per year with the name Kerry on average. However, starting in 1941, the popularity of the name began to increase significantly.
From 1941 to 1957, the number of babies named Kerry more than doubled each decade. In 1946, there were only 489 births with the name Kerry, but by 1957, that number had climbed to 1747. This trend continued into the 1960s, with a peak of 2175 babies named Kerry in 1960.
However, starting in the late 1960s, the popularity of the name Kerry began to decline. By 1973, the number of births had fallen to 681, and it continued to drop throughout the rest of the century. In the year 2000, only 135 babies were named Kerry.
The early 21st century saw a brief resurgence in the popularity of the name Kerry, with peaks of 71 births in 2013 and 55 births in 2022. However, overall, the name has become quite rare once again, with only 35 babies named Kerry in the United States in 2023.
In total, between 1921 and 2023, there were 49861 babies born in the United States with the name Kerry. While the popularity of the name has fluctuated greatly over the years, it remains a unique and historic choice for parents looking to give their child a distinctive name.