Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Cheri
GirlFrench· “darling”
- Meaning
- darling
- Origin
- French
- Pronunciation
- SHEH-ree
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #13,555
- US babies 2025
- 6
- Best rank
- #225 (1967)
- Peak year
- 1960
Meaning and origin of Cheri
Cheri is a French name that means “darling”.
Cheri comes from the French cheri and cherie, darling or dear one, from the verb cherir, to cherish. English speakers began using it as a girl's name in the twentieth century, alongside the related Sherry, Sheri and Cherie. The French word is a term of endearment rather than a traditional given name in France. In the US the name is most often said SHEH-ree, while French speakers stress the second syllable, shay-REE. Cheri has a soft, affectionate feel that is closely tied to the mid-twentieth century. It pairs easily with longer middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Sherry, Sherri, Sheri, Sherrie, Cherie.
Popularity over time
Cheri first appears in US Social Security records in 1925. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 49 different years, starting in 1941. Its best national rank was #225 in 1967, and the most babies received it in 1960, when 1,410 were named Cheri. In 2025, 6 babies were named Cheri, and it ranked #13,555 nationally. That is 54% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #330 in 1950, #476 in 1980, #4,211 in 2000, #9,357 in 2010, and #13,555 in 2025. Of the 36,068 US girls named Cheri since records began, 33% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 9,087 babies. Since 2010, 119 more have been named Cheri.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Betsy, Janine, Jana, Therese, and Terrie.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Cheri is usually pronounced SHEH-ree, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with C and ends in “-ri”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Sherry, Sherri, Sheri, and Sherrie.
Middle names for Cheri
A few middle names that flow with Cheri: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cheri
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Lists that include Cheri
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cheri mean?
Cheri is a French name that means “darling”.
What is the origin of the name Cheri?
Cheri has French roots. Cheri comes from the French cheri and cherie, darling or dear one, from the verb cherir, to cherish.
Is Cheri a popular name?
Not especially. Cheri ranked #13,555 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Cheri a boy or girl name?
Cheri is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Cheri?
Cheri is usually pronounced SHEH-ree. 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