All about the name

Garyl

Male

« Gary is an English name derived from Old Germanic elements meaning "spear army" or "spear hero," first used in medieval England and peaking in popularity mid-20th century. »

#40650 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Gary is a name of English origin that has been used for centuries. It is derived from the Old Germanic elements "ge," which means "to yield" or "to give," and "harja," which means "army." Therefore, Gary means "spear army" or "spear hero." The name Gary first appeared in England during the Middle Ages, where it was used as a given name. However, it was not particularly popular at that time. It was not until the 19th century that Gary began to gain popularity as a given name. Today, Gary is considered a classic and traditional name in English-speaking countries. It has been consistently popular throughout the years, with its peak popularity being in the mid-20th century. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Gary was among the top 15 most popular boys' names between 1940 and 1960. Some famous people named Gary include American actors Gary Cooper and Gary Sinise, Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young, who uses his birth name "Gary" professionally, and British musician Gary Numan. These individuals have helped to further popularize the name Gary over the years. Overall, Gary is a strong and distinctive name with a rich history and meaningful origin. Its popularity has waxed and waned over the centuries, but it remains a classic choice for parents looking for a traditional English name for their son.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Garyl since 1880

Total births
5
Total since 1880
Peak year
1958
5 births
in 1958
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years