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NamyLab

Terry

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Ruler of the People"

Often a diminutive of Terence or Thierry; meaning depends on source, but Germanic Thierry derives from people and rule.

Themes:peoplerulediminutiveunisex
RoyalRegalUniqueRareUnisexGender-neutral

Fact-checked by Dr. Elena Vasquez

Ph.D. Medieval History, StanfordPublished Academic ResearcherHistory Professor (Adjunct) • Historical Names Consultant

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

Popularity History of Terry

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#1186Ranked 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
#1186

Terry was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-121

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

Terry Nicknames

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

8 ideas
tery
Nickname
terr
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tie
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ty
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to
Nickname
erry
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te
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TE
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Terry

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

19 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Terry mean?
Terry means "Ruler of the People". Often a diminutive of Terence or Thierry; meaning depends on source, but Germanic Thierry derives from people and rule.
What is the origin of Terry?
Terry 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 Terry?
According to the latest SSA data, Terry is currently ranked #1186 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 Terry a boy name?
Terry 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 Terry?
Popular nicknames for Terry include tery, terr, tie, ty, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Terry?
There are many names similar to Terry in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGermanic, English
Syllables2
Length5 letters
US Rank#1186
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withT

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Terry

Terry 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.

Terry appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Gender-Neutral Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Royal Baby Names and Traditional English Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Terry pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Terry 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.