Gary is a popular given name that has been used for decades. The name has an interesting history that is intertwined with the success of the actor Gary Cooper. The name was originally a short form of names beginning with the Old German element ger meaning “spear”.
The name Gary became popular in the late 1920s when the American actor Gary Cooper took his stage name from the city of Gary in Indiana where his agent was born. The name has remained popular over the years and is still used today. Its popularity can be attributed to the fact that it is easy to pronounce and has a strong and masculine sound to it.
Overall, the name Gary has a rich history and a strong meaning. It is a name that has stood the test of time and remains a popular choice for parents looking for a strong and masculine name for their baby boy.
Origins of the Name Gary
Historical Background
The name Gary is of English and Norman French origin. It is derived from a Norman given name, which was itself originally a short form of names beginning with the Old German element “ger” meaning “spear.” The name Gary was popularized in the late 1920s by the American actor Gary Cooper, who took his stage name from the city of Gary in Indiana where his agent was born.
Geographical Distribution
The name Gary has a relatively low frequency in the United States and the United Kingdom. According to Nameberry, it was one of the first nonclassic boys’ names to crack the Top 10 in the U.S. in 1950, largely due to the popularity of Gary Cooper. However, it has since declined in popularity and is now ranked #582 in the U.S. (as of 2021).
In the UK, the name Gary was most popular in the 1950s and 1960s, but has since declined in popularity. According to the Office for National Statistics, it was the 158th most popular name for boys born in England and Wales in 2020.
The table below shows the top 10 countries with the highest frequency of the name Gary as of 2021:
| Country | Frequency |
|---|---|
| United States | 0.015% |
| Canada | 0.012% |
| Australia | 0.009% |
| Ireland | 0.008% |
| New Zealand | 0.008% |
| England | 0.006% |
| Scotland | 0.006% |
| Northern Ireland | 0.005% |
| Wales | 0.005% |
| South Africa | 0.002% |
Overall, the name Gary has a relatively low frequency worldwide, but remains a popular name in certain regions.
Meaning of Gary
Gary is a masculine given name of English origin that means “spear carrier.” It is derived from a Norman given name, which was itself a short form of names beginning with the Old German element ger meaning “spear.” The name was popularized in the late 1920s by the American actor Gary Cooper, who took his stage name from the city of Gary in Indiana where his agent was born.
In Different Languages
The name Gary is primarily used in English-speaking countries, but it has also been adopted in other languages. Here are some variations of the name in different languages:
- French: Garry
- German: Garry, Gari
- Italian: Garino, Garo
- Spanish: Gari, Garo
Symbolic Interpretations
The name Gary does not have any specific symbolic interpretations, but it is associated with strength, courage, and leadership. The spear, which is the symbol of the name, has been used throughout history as a weapon of war, and it represents the ability to defend oneself and others. In some cultures, the spear is also a symbol of power and authority, which suggests that people with the name Gary may have strong leadership qualities.
Overall, the name Gary is a strong and timeless name that has been popular for decades. Its simple meaning and association with strength and leadership make it a popular choice for parents looking for a classic and masculine name for their son.
Famous People Named Gary
Gary is a name that has been used by many notable figures in various fields. Here are some of the most famous people named Gary:
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Gary Oldman: A British actor and filmmaker who has won numerous awards for his work. He is known for his roles in films such as “The Dark Knight” trilogy, “Harry Potter” series, and “Darkest Hour.”
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Gary Payton: A former professional basketball player who played in the NBA for 17 seasons. He was a nine-time NBA All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2006.
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Gary Sinise: An American actor and director who is best known for his role as Lieutenant Dan in the film “Forrest Gump.” He is also a co-founder of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago.
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Gary Larson: An American cartoonist who created the comic strip “The Far Side.” The strip ran from 1980 to 1995 and was known for its offbeat humor and surreal characters.
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Gary Barlow: An English singer-songwriter who is best known as the lead vocalist of the pop group Take That. He has also had a successful solo career and has written songs for other artists.
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Gary Player: A retired South African professional golfer who is one of the most successful golfers of all time. He has won nine major championships and is one of only five golfers to have won all four major championships.
These are just a few examples of the many famous people named Gary. The name has been used by individuals in various fields, including entertainment, sports, and politics.
Variations of Gary
Gary is a popular name with several variations. Here are some of the most common variations of Gary:
- Garry: This is a variant spelling of Gary and is influenced by the spelling of Barry.
- Garrison: This name is associated with Gary and Garry and is sometimes given to sons of men bearing the former names.
- Gaz: This is an informal pet form of Gary.
- Gazza: This is a variant of Gaz and is another informal pet form of Gary.
If you like the name Gary, but want something a little different, here are some names that are similar in sound or meaning:
- Gareth: This name is of Welsh origin and means “gentle” or “peaceful”.
- Garth: This name is of Old Norse origin and means “enclosed garden”.
- Garrett: This name is of Irish origin and means “spear strength”.
- Garen: This name is of Armenian origin and means “guardian”.
- Garnet: This name is of English origin and means “dark red gemstone”.
Overall, Gary is a versatile name with many variations and similar names to choose from.
Popularity of the Name Gary
Gary is a name of English origin that means “spearman.” The name has been used since medieval times as a short form of Germanic compound names beginning with “gari” or “geri,” which means “spear.”
According to the Social Security Administration, Gary was a relatively rare given name in the early 1900s, with less than 0.01% of babies born in the 1910s given the name. However, the name gained popularity in the 1930s, with 0.38% of male babies in the United States named Gary. By the 1950s, the name reached its peak popularity, with as many as 1.54% of male babies named Gary.
Today, the name Gary is less popular than it once was, but it still remains a well-known name. In 2023, Gary is ranked as the 724th most popular baby boy name, according to BabyCenter user data.
Interestingly, Gary was one of the first non-classic boys’ names to crack the top 10 in 1950, largely due to Gary Cooper, who was renamed after Gary, Indiana, his agent’s hometown.
While Gary is predominantly a boy’s name, there have been a total of 3,288 females given the name. However, only 0.36% of Garys are girls, with 99.64% being boys.
The chart below shows the maximum percentage of babies named Gary in each state in the United States:
| State | Maximum Percentage of Babies Named Gary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 1.97% |
| Alaska | 1.31% |
| Arizona | 1.27% |
| Arkansas | 2.14% |
| California | 1.32% |
| Colorado | 1.18% |
| Connecticut | 0.89% |
| Delaware | 0.63% |
| Florida | 1.22% |
| Georgia | 1.34% |
| Hawaii | 0.87% |
| Idaho | 1.16% |
| Illinois | 1.78% |
| Indiana | 2.68% |
| Iowa | 3.31% |
| Kansas | 2.71% |
| Kentucky | 2.61% |
| Louisiana | 1.78% |
| Maine | 0.97% |
| Maryland | 0.88% |
| Massachusetts | 0.68% |
| Michigan | 2.07% |
| Minnesota | 2.69% |
| Mississippi | 2.32% |
| Missouri | 2.43% |
| Montana | 1.47% |
| Nebraska | 3.07% |
| Nevada | 1.16% |
| New Hampshire | 0.84% |
| New Jersey | 0.71% |
| New Mexico | 1.25% |
| New York | 0.95% |
| North Carolina | 1.4% |
| North Dakota | 3.22% |
| Ohio | 2.71% |
| Oklahoma | 2.15% |
| Oregon | 0.96% |
| Pennsylvania | 1.64% |
| Rhode Island | 0.66% |
| South Carolina | 1.54% |
| South Dakota | 3.11% |
| Tennessee | 2.11% |
| Texas | 1.72% |
| Utah | 1.04% |
| Vermont | 0.57% |
| Virginia | 1.15% |
| Washington | 0.91% |
| West Virginia | 2.57% |
| Wisconsin | 2.47% |
| Wyoming | 1.82% |
Conclusion
In summary, the name Gary has a rich history and meaning. It is likely derived from the Old Frankish name Geiserich, which means “spear, pike, javelin” and “kingly, royal.” Today, Gary is a popular English given name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Some notable individuals with the name Gary include American actor Gary Cooper, British musician Gary Barlow, and American comedian Gary Shandling. The name has also been used in popular culture, such as the character Gary Oak in the Pokémon franchise.
Overall, if you are considering naming your child Gary, it is a strong and classic name with a rich history and meaning. It is also a versatile name that can be used for both boys and girls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the origin of the name Gary?
Gary is derived from the Old Germanic name Geirr, which means “spear.” It was originally a surname but became popular as a first name in the early 20th century.
Is Gary a biblical name?
No, Gary is not a biblical name. It does not appear in the Bible.
What is the personality of Gary?
There is no one personality type associated with the name Gary. It is important to remember that a person’s name does not determine their character or personality.
Is Gary a Viking name?
No, Gary is not a Viking name. It has Germanic origins but is not specifically associated with Viking culture.
What are some facts about the name Gary?
- Gary was most popular in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Famous people with the name Gary include Gary Cooper, Gary Oldman, and Gary Barlow.
- The name Gary has declined in popularity in recent years.
When will the name Gary be extinct?
It is impossible to predict when a name will become extinct. However, the popularity of the name Gary has declined in recent years, so it may become less common in the future.