Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Barry
BoyIrish· “fair-haired (from Fionnbarr)”
- Meaning
- fair-haired (from Fionnbarr)
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- BAIR-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,520
- US babies 2025
- 114
- Best rank
- #61 (1962)
- Peak year
- 1962
Meaning and origin of Barry
Barry is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “fair-haired (from Fionnbarr)”.
Behind Barry lies the Irish Bairre, a short form of Fionnbarr, 'fair-haired' or 'fair head'. Saint Finbarr, the patron saint of Cork, is the best-known early bearer. Barry became a popular given name in the English-speaking world in the twentieth century and has a friendly, familiar feel. It carries Irish roots and an easygoing charm. Baz is a playful British nickname, and Barrie is an alternative spelling. It pairs easily with both Irish and English surnames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Barrie.
Famous parents who chose Barry: Meghan Trainor and Daryl Sabara (2023). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Barry first appears in US Social Security records in 1883. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 97 different years, starting in 1883. Its best national rank was #61 in 1962, the same year it reached its highest count of 6,585 babies. In 2025, 114 babies were named Barry, and it ranked #1,520 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,387 in 1920, #74 in 1950, #175 in 1980, #677 in 2000, #1,390 in 2010, and #1,520 in 2025. Of the 181,270 US boys named Barry since records began, 30% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 47,221 babies. Since 2010, 2,055 more have been named Barry.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Vincent, Martin, Chris, Glenn, and Curtis.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Barry ranked highest in Ohio, California, and North Carolina.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | #1126 | 6 |
| California | #1251 | 15 |
| North Carolina | #1293 | 5 |
| Florida | #1653 | 6 |
| Texas | #1776 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Barry is usually pronounced BAIR-ee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with B and ends in “-ry”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Barrie.
Middle names for Barry
A few middle names that flow with Barry: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Barry
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Lists that include Barry
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Barry mean?
Barry is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “fair-haired (from Fionnbarr)”.
What is the origin of the name Barry?
Barry has Irish roots. Behind Barry lies the Irish Bairre, a short form of Fionnbarr, 'fair-haired' or 'fair head'.
Is Barry a popular name?
Not especially. Barry ranked #1,520 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Barry a boy or girl name?
Barry is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Barry?
Barry is usually pronounced BAIR-ee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings