Terry: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: “Terry and the Pirates” was a popular adventure comic strip created by Milton Caniff, running from 1934 to 1973.

Terry Overview

Meaning

Power of the tribe, reap

Gender

Boy, Gender-Neutral

Origin

English, Irish, Greek

Etymology

Derived from the French name “Thierry,” a form of the Germanic name “Theodoric,” meaning “ruler of the people.”

Pronunciation

/ˈtɛri/

Popularity

Terry peaked in the 1950s and 1960s but has recently fallen out of the top 1000 boys’ names in the USA. It is now considered more vintage or classic.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

5 (Visionary, Expansive, Adventurous)

Name Styles

Classic, Short, Traditional

Associated Traits

Friendly, dependable, practical, kind

Terry Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Terrence, Terrell, Terence, Terran, Terris, Therry

Common Nicknames

T, Tee, Terry-Bear, Ter, T-Man, T-Rex

Diminutives

Tez, Taz, Ter-Ter, Tee-Tee, Tel

Famous People

Terry Bradshaw
(American Football Player)
Terry Crews
(American Actor)
Terry Gilliam
(British Filmmaker)
Terry Fox
(Canadian Athlete)
Terry Pratchett
(British Author)
Terry Jones
(British Comedian)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Terry Jeffords
("Brooklyn Nine-Nine," TV Series)
"Terry"
(Song by Twinkle)
Terry McGinnis
("Batman Beyond," TV Series)
Terry Malloy
("On the Waterfront," Film)
Terry Bellefleur
("True Blood," TV Series)

Places

Terry Town
(Montana, USA)
Terry County
(Texas, USA)
Terry Peak Mountain
(South Dakota, USA)
Terry Fox Memorial and Lookout
(Ontario, Canada)
Terry Road
(Jackson, Mississippi, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Terry?

The name Terry means “power of the tribe” in English, derived from Theodoric, reflecting leadership and strength. In Irish, it is a diminutive form of Terence, meaning “to reap,” symbolizing productivity.

What Is the Origin of The Name Terry?

The name Terry has roots in both English and Irish cultures, derived from the French name Thierry. It also has Greek origins from the name Theodoric.

Terry Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Terry in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#10232021	#9722022	#10622023
Top 3 Rankings	#261946	#261947	#261948

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Terry

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	1062 (-90 from 2022)	203 (-28 from 2022)	0.01109
2022	972 (+51 from 2021)	231 (+17 from 2021)	0.01233
2021	1023 (-91 from 2020)	214 (-24 from 2020)	0.01142
2020	932 (-93 from 2019)	238 (-29 from 2019)	0.01287
2019	839 (-90 from 2018)	267 (-47 from 2018)	0.01389
2018	749 (-58 from 2017)	314 (-44 from 2017)	0.01615
2017	691 (-25 from 2016)	358 (-30 from 2016)	0.01809
2016	666 (-2 from 2015)	388 No change from 2015	0.01915
2015	664 (-41 from 2014)	388 (-35 from 2014)	0.01898
2014	623 (-31 from 2013)	423 (-5 from 2013)	0.02064
2013	592 (-50 from 2012)	428 (-54 from 2012)	0.02118
2012	542 (-10 from 2011)	482 (+5 from 2011)	0.02375
2011	532 (-35 from 2010)	477 (-44 from 2010)	0.02348
2010	497 (+52 from 2009)	521 (+40 from 2009)	0.02536
2009	549 (-69 from 2008)	481 (-99 from 2008)	0.02268
2008	480 (-25 from 2007)	580 (-28 from 2007)	0.02660
2007	455 (-11 from 2006)	608 (-6 from 2006)	0.02745
2006	444 (-38 from 2005)	614 (-79 from 2005)	0.02801
2005	406 (-7 from 2004)	693 (+36 from 2004)	0.03258
2004	399 (-7 from 2003)	657 (-10 from 2003)	0.03109
2003	392 (-11 from 2002)	667 (-19 from 2002)	0.03174
2002	381 (-39 from 2001)	686 (-117 from 2001)	0.03319
2001	342 (-11 from 2000)	803 (-44 from 2000)	0.03882
2000	331 (-16 from 1999)	847 (-58 from 1999)	0.04056
1999	315 (-13 from 1998)	905 (-42 from 1998)	0.04438
1998	302 (-33 from 1997)	947 (-99 from 1997)	0.04670
1997	269 (-11 from 1996)	1046 (-48 from 1996)	0.05236
1996	258 (-13 from 1995)	1094 (-81 from 1995)	0.05460
1995	245 (-3 from 1994)	1175 (-43 from 1994)	0.05842
1994	242 (-29 from 1993)	1218 (-208 from 1993)	0.05975
1993	213 (-17 from 1992)	1426 (-169 from 1992)	0.06904
1992	196 (-16 from 1991)	1595 (-146 from 1991)	0.07598
1991	180 (-16 from 1990)	1741 (-153 from 1990)	0.08213
1990	164 (-13 from 1989)	1894 (-109 from 1989)	0.08801
1989	151 (-10 from 1988)	2003 (-62 from 1988)	0.09556
1988	141 (-8 from 1987)	2065 (-36 from 1987)	0.10313
1987	133 (-11 from 1986)	2101 (-150 from 1986)	0.10773
1986	122 (-3 from 1985)	2251 (-123 from 1985)	0.11714
1985	119 (-1 from 1984)	2374 (+39 from 1984)	0.12336
1984	118 (-8 from 1983)	2335 (-136 from 1983)	0.12442
1983	110 (-5 from 1982)	2471 (-290 from 1982)	0.13259
1982	105 No change from 1981	2761 (-53 from 1981)	0.14630
1981	105 (-4 from 1980)	2814 (-167 from 1980)	0.15110
1980	101 (-6 from 1979)	2981 (-59 from 1979)	0.16072
1979	95 (-4 from 1978)	3040 (-48 from 1978)	0.16971
1978	91 (-8 from 1977)	3088 (-356 from 1977)	0.18073
1977	83 (-8 from 1976)	3444 (-225 from 1976)	0.20148
1976	75 (-8 from 1975)	3669 (-302 from 1975)	0.22473
1975	67 (+2 from 1974)	3971 (-54 from 1974)	0.24476
1974	69 (-4 from 1973)	4025 (-352 from 1973)	0.24689
1973	65 (-3 from 1972)	4377 (-393 from 1972)	0.27125
1972	62 (-6 from 1971)	4770 (-1088 from 1971)	0.28494
1971	56 (-2 from 1970)	5858 (-329 from 1970)	0.32225
1970	54 (-2 from 1969)	6187 (-229 from 1969)	0.32481
1969	52 (-4 from 1968)	6416 (-674 from 1968)	0.35076
1968	48 (-6 from 1967)	7090 (-594 from 1967)	0.39934
1967	42 (-2 from 1966)	7684 (-770 from 1966)	0.43182
1966	40 No change from 1965	8454 (-638 from 1965)	0.46511
1965	40 (-5 from 1964)	9092 (-1776 from 1964)	0.47989
1964	35 (-3 from 1963)	10868 (-1595 from 1963)	0.53615
1963	32 (+2 from 1962)	12463 (+166 from 1962)	0.60364
1962	34 (-2 from 1961)	12297 (-889 from 1961)	0.58510
1961	32 (+2 from 1960)	13186 (-738 from 1960)	0.61131
1960	34 (-1 from 1959)	13924 (-622 from 1959)	0.64304
1959	33 No change from 1958	14546 (-461 from 1958)	0.67141
1958	33 No change from 1957	15007 (-612 from 1957)	0.69642
1957	33 (-2 from 1956)	15619 (+553 from 1956)	0.71355
1956	31 (-3 from 1955)	15066 (-520 from 1955)	0.70198
1955	28 (-1 from 1954)	15586 (+33 from 1954)	0.74565
1954	27 (+3 from 1953)	15553 (+2294 from 1953)	0.75167
1953	30 (-1 from 1952)	13259 (+821 from 1952)	0.66222
1952	29 (+1 from 1951)	12438 (+222 from 1951)	0.63032
1951	30 No change from 1950	12216 (+784 from 1950)	0.63902
1950	30 (-2 from 1949)	11432 (-27 from 1949)	0.62854
1949	28 (-2 from 1948)	11459 (-677 from 1948)	0.63590
1948	26 No change from 1947	12136 (-616 from 1947)	0.68075
1947	26 No change from 1946	12752 (+2076 from 1946)	0.68648
1946	26 (+7 from 1945)	10676 (+3843 from 1945)	0.64688
1945	33 (+10 from 1944)	6833 (+857 from 1944)	0.49823
1944	43 (+6 from 1943)	5976 (+240 from 1943)	0.43019
1943	49 (+3 from 1942)	5736 (+926 from 1942)	0.39433
1942	52 (+12 from 1941)	4810 (+1204 from 1941)	0.34155
1941	64 (+9 from 1940)	3606 (+624 from 1940)	0.28736
1940	73 (+10 from 1939)	2982 (+539 from 1939)	0.25140
1939	83 (+3 from 1938)	2443 (+107 from 1938)	0.21556
1938	86 (+26 from 1937)	2336 (+652 from 1937)	0.20554
1937	112 (+14 from 1936)	1684 (+392 from 1936)	0.15398
1936	126 (+28 from 1935)	1292 (+331 from 1935)	0.12139
1935	154 (+28 from 1934)	961 (+241 from 1934)	0.08985
1934	182 (+23 from 1933)	720 (+148 from 1933)	0.06780
1933	205 (+57 from 1932)	572 (+141 from 1932)	0.05607
1932	262 (+59 from 1931)	431 (+141 from 1931)	0.04011
1931	321 No change from 1930	290 (-6 from 1930)	0.02711
1930	321 (+69 from 1929)	296 (+74 from 1929)	0.02621
1929	390 (+16 from 1928)	222 (+4 from 1928)	0.02004
1928	406 (+51 from 1927)	218 (+38 from 1927)	0.01910
1927	457 (+12 from 1926)	180 (+15 from 1926)	0.01549
1926	469 (-36 from 1925)	165 (-25 from 1925)	0.01440
1925	433 (+99 from 1924)	190 (+50 from 1924)	0.01650
1924	532 (-8 from 1923)	140 (+6 from 1923)	0.01198
1923	524 (+30 from 1922)	134 (+4 from 1922)	0.01183
1922	554 (+8 from 1921)	130 (+5 from 1921)	0.01155
1921	562 (-51 from 1920)	125 (-17 from 1920)	0.01098
1920	511 (+113 from 1919)	142 (+48 from 1919)	0.01290
1919	624 (-9 from 1918)	94 (-6 from 1918)	0.00926
1918	615 (+2 from 1917)	100 (+8 from 1917)	0.00954
1917	617 (+13 from 1916)	92 (+7 from 1916)	0.00959
1916	630 (-86 from 1915)	85 (-20 from 1915)	0.00921
1915	544 (+123 from 1914)	105 (+47 from 1914)	0.01192
1914	667 (-148 from 1913)	58 (-11 from 1913)	0.00849
1913	519 (+55 from 1912)	69 (+20 from 1912)	0.01287
1912	574 (-12 from 1911)	49 (+20 from 1911)	0.01085
1911	562 (-50 from 1910)	29 (-1 from 1910)	0.01201
1910	512 (-16 from 1909)	30 (+3 from 1909)	0.01439
1909	496 (+26 from 1908)	27 (+4 from 1908)	0.01527
1908	522 (+18 from 1907)	23 (+3 from 1907)	0.01382
1907	540 (+134 from 1906)	20 (+7 from 1906)	0.01261
1906	674 (-59 from 1905)	13 (-2 from 1905)	0.00902
1905	615 (-100 from 1904)	15 (-3 from 1904)	0.01047
1904	515 (-10 from 1903)	18 No change from 1903	0.01300
1903	505 (+2 from 1902)	18 No change from 1902	0.01392
1902	507 (+52 from 1901)	18 (+5 from 1901)	0.01356
1901	559 (-41 from 1900)	13 (-8 from 1900)	0.01125
1900	518 (+339 from 1899)	21 (+14 from 1899)	0.01295
1899	857 (-284 from 1898)	7 (-7 from 1898)	0.00608
1898	573 (-58 from 1897)	14 (-1 from 1897)	0.01060
1897	515 (-77 from 1896)	15 (-5 from 1896)	0.01230
1896	438 (+141 from 1895)	20 (+7 from 1895)	0.01550
1895	579 (+15 from 1894)	13 (+1 from 1894)	0.01027
1894	594 (+174 from 1893)	12 (+4 from 1893)	0.00961
1893	768 (-171 from 1892)	8 (-4 from 1892)	0.00661
1892	597 (+366 from 1891)	12 (+7 from 1891)	0.00913
1891	963 (-397 from 1890)	5 (-7 from 1890)	0.00458
1890	566 (+107 from 1889)	12 (+3 from 1889)	0.01003
1889	673 (-168 from 1888)	9 (-6 from 1888)	0.00756
1888	505 (-85 from 1887)	15 (-1 from 1887)	0.01155
1887	420 (+120 from 1886)	16 (+4 from 1886)	0.01464
1886	540 (+101 from 1885)	12 (+3 from 1885)	0.01008
1885	641 (-28 from 1884)	9 (-1 from 1884)	0.00776
1884	613 (-16 from 1883)	10 No change from 1883	0.00815
1883	597 (+157 from 1882)	10 (+3 from 1882)	0.00889
1882	754 (-154 from 1880)	7 (-3 from 1880)	0.00574
1881	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1880	600 First SSA data recorded	10 First SSA data recorded	0.00845

American States Popularity Rankings for Terry

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Ohio (OH)

#7982021

#6572022

#14822023

Texas (TX)

#10032021

#10892022

#12942023

Illinois (IL)

#10202020

#11292021

#11292023

California (CA)

#16962021

#11382022

#10942023

Michigan (MI)

#8092021

#6982022

#7492023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#13802019

#8792020

#10882023

Indiana (IN)

#4412019

#9362022

#10842023

Tennessee (TN)

#8902021

#8172022

#9122023

North Carolina (NC)

#6582021

#8592022

#7072023

Missouri (MO)

#7452019

#7422020

#6772021

Georgia (GA)

#5122021

#9962022

#13452023

Alabama (AL)

#5882020

#4102022

#6882023

Kentucky (KY)

#4162020

#4862021

#4452022

New York (NY)

#15692021

#20452022

#17532023

Florida (FL)

#9132021

#7832022

#7812023

Louisiana (LA)

#4812021

#7162022

#8072023

Oklahoma (OK)

#5672016

#7772020

#5372022

Iowa (IA)

#6372015

#6482016

#4562017

Wisconsin (WI)

#5222017

#6712020

#8932023

Mississippi (MS)

#3262020

#4112021

#6092022

Arkansas (AR)

#6292018

#5392019

#5362020

Virginia (VA)

#6172018

#8952020

#12152022

Minnesota (MN)

#7342013

#8722014

#9112019

South Carolina (SC)

#6692018

#7962020

#6172021

Washington (WA)

#8942013

#9352015

#7032017

Kansas (KS)

#6582016

#6372017

#5722020

West Virginia (WV)

#3422011

#2162012

#3212014

Nebraska (NE)

#3972003

#3172005

#3842008

Oregon (OR)

#6652010

#6712012

#6162016

Maryland (MD)

#5362013

#7662014

#7792015

Colorado (CO)

#6362011

#6892014

#6412016

Utah (UT)

#5522004

#4632006

#6412010

South Dakota (SD)

#1111986

#1781987

#1871989

Arizona (AZ)

#9662017

#7222019

#9002023

New Jersey (NJ)

#9732016

#11192017

#11112018

Idaho (ID)

#2641990

#4432007

#4432012

North Dakota (ND)

#1761984

#1501985

#1781992

Montana (MT)

#1531986

#1931989

#2091993

New Mexico (NM)

#3151994

#3831995

#3561996

District of Columbia (DC)

#1921999

#2982000

#2682008

Maine (ME)

#1611981

#1591985

#1911988

Massachusetts (MA)

#6112003

#7082004

#8272014

Connecticut (CT)

#4531998

#4732001

#2902002

Wyoming (WY)

#1561983

#1561984

#1081985

Nevada (NV)

#3121999

#4182006

#4962017

Hawaii (HI)

#2341982

#1931985

#2841998

Alaska (AK)

#1901988

#1461989

#1421990

Vermont (VT)

#1001975

#1231983

#1011985

Delaware (DE)

#1441981

#931986

#1861991

New Hampshire (NH)

#1501972

#1091977

#1351978

Rhode Island (RI)

#1661963

#1291964

#1231968

Popularity Rankings for Terry in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW)

#931970

#991971

#901972

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#3321998

#3281999

#2692001

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#3152007

#4032012

#4142022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#3402004

#4462005

#4832009

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#7642019

#4592020

#5722022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#9352014

#9272015

#8332017

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#13512016

#9032017

#11112022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#9702018

#9802021

#9442022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Terry a Name for Boys or Girls?

Terry works well for either boys or girls because of its balanced and easygoing nature.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Terry

Terrence
Terrell
Terence
Terran
Terris
Therry

T
Tee
Terry-Bear
Ter
T-Man
T-Rex

Tez
Taz
Ter-Ter
Tee-Tee
Tel

Terry in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Terry Bradshaw (Football Player, born 1948): An American former professional football quarterback who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL and is now a television sports analyst.
Terry Crews (Actor, born 1968): An American actor, comedian, and former professional football player known for his roles in "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" and "Everybody Hates Chris."
Terry Gilliam (Director, born 1940): An American-born British filmmaker, animator, and member of the Monty Python comedy troupe.
Terry Fox (Athlete, 1958–1981): A Canadian athlete and cancer research activist renowned for his Marathon of Hope, a cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer research.
Terry Pratchett (Author, 1948–2015): A British author celebrated for his Discworld series of fantasy novels.
Terry Jones (Comedian, 1942–2020): A British comedian, screenwriter, and director, and member of the Monty Python comedy troupe.
Terry Francona (Baseball Manager, born 1959): An American baseball manager famed for leading the Boston Red Sox to two World Series championships.
Terry McMillan (Author, born 1951): An American author acclaimed for her novels "Waiting to Exhale" and "How Stella Got Her Groove Back."
Terry Gross (Radio Host, born 1951): An American radio host and producer of the interview show "Fresh Air."

Terry Jeffords ("Brooklyn Nine-Nine," 2013 TV Series): A dedicated and muscular sergeant who loves yogurt and his family.
"Terry" (1975 Song by Twinkle): A song about a tragic romance and loss.
Terry McGinnis ("Batman Beyond," 1999 TV Series): A teenager who becomes the new Batman under the mentorship of an aging Bruce Wayne.
Terry Malloy ("On the Waterfront," 1954 Film): A dockworker who stands up against corrupt union bosses.
Terry Bellefleur ("True Blood," 2008 TV Series): A kind-hearted and troubled war veteran who works as a cook at Merlotte's Bar.
Terry Bogard ("Fatal Fury," 1991 Video Game Series): A martial artist who seeks revenge for his father's murder.
"Terry Pratchett's Hogfather" (2006 TV Film): A fantasy film adaptation of the novel by Terry Pratchett, where Death takes on the role of the Hogfather.
Terry Silver ("The Karate Kid Part III," 1989 Film): A wealthy businessman and martial artist who antagonizes Daniel LaRusso.
Terry Griffith ("Just One of the Guys," 1985 Film): A teenage girl who poses as a boy to prove a point about gender discrimination.
Terry Crews ("The Expendables," 2010 Film Series): An action film actor known for his role as Hale Caesar, a weapons specialist.

Terry Town (Montana, USA): A small town known for its historical sites and proximity to the Yellowstone River.
Terry County (Texas, USA): A county in West Texas known for its agricultural production, especially cotton.
Terry Peak Mountain (South Dakota, USA): A prominent mountain in the Black Hills, popular for its ski resort.
Terry Fox Memorial and Lookout (Ontario, Canada): A park dedicated to the Canadian hero Terry Fox, known for his Marathon of Hope.
Terry Road (Jackson, Mississippi, USA): A major road in Jackson, notable for its commercial and residential areas.

Perry
Jerry
Barry
Larry
Gary
Harry
Kerry
Sherry
Ferry
Merry

Sibling Names for Terry

For a Brother
For a Sister

Meaning: Grace
Origin: RussianAnya
Blythe
Meaning: Glory, fame, rumor, praise, credit, acclaim
Origin: GreekCleo
Meaning: Noble
Origin: GermanDella
Elin
Flora
Greta
Meaning: Home, estate ruler
Origin: EnglishHattie
Ione

Parents Who Like the Name Terry Also Like

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Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

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Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

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1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.

Terry Name Meaning