N
NamyLab

Gary

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Spear"

Often linked to Germanic elements for spear, it gained distinct popularity in twentieth-century English usage, though earlier forms varied.

Themes:speargermanicmodernuncertain
UniqueRareStrongPowerfulBold

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Gary

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#1130Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#1130

Gary was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-63

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Gary Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Gary.

8 ideas
gary
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gie
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gy
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go
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ga
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GA
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garyie
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garyy
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Baby Name Lists That Include Gary

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Gary, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

11 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Gary mean?
Gary means "Spear". Often linked to Germanic elements for spear, it gained distinct popularity in twentieth-century English usage, though ea
What is the origin of Gary?
Gary is of Germanic origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Gary?
According to the latest SSA data, Gary is currently ranked #1130 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Gary a boy name?
Gary is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Gary?
Popular nicknames for Gary include gary, gie, gy, go, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Gary?
There are many names similar to Gary in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGermanic, English
Syllables2
Length4 letters
US Rank#1130
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withG

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Gary

Gary has Germanic roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Germanic baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Gary appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Traditional English Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls and Strong Baby Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Gary pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Gary beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.