Boy name · Irish Gaelic
Barry
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: fair-hairedBarry is a boy's name that comes from Irish Gaelic and means "fair-haired". It is used in English and Irish.
- Meaning
- Fair-haired
- Origin
- Irish Gaelic
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #1520 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Barry
As a boy's name, Barry comes from Irish Gaelic and means "fair-haired". It is used in English and Irish.
In Irish, say BAR-ee. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Barry is also a surname: the 708th most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 47,279 people. See the most common last names.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Barry on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Barry on 5 lists.
“For a cheerful tom who greets every delivery”
From Boy cat names, human names for boy cats
“Alpine Saint Bernard credited with saving more than 40 lives”
From Boy dog names, famous real boy dogs
“Short for Barely Running”
From Funny computer names, funny names for a computer
“From Barra, short for Fionnbharr: fair head. Say BAR-ee.”
From Irish boy names, irish boys' names in English spelling
“Norman de Barri, from an island off the coast of Wales”
From Irish last names, norman and Anglo-Irish surnames
How popular is Barry?
- US rank in 2025
- #1,520
- 114 babies, 67 per million boys
- Best rank
- #61 in 1962
- 6,585 babies that year
- Babies since 1883
- At least 181,270
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 26 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 33 per million |
| 1900s | 53 per million |
| 1910s | 37 per million |
| 1920s | 67 per million |
| 1930s | 629 per million |
| 1940s | 2,431 per million |
| 1950s | 2,711 per million |
| 1960s | 2,451 per million |
| 1970s | 1,044 per million |
| 1980s | 538 per million |
| 1990s | 217 per million |
| 2000s | 92 per million |
| 2010s | 71 per million |
| 2020s | 70 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,136 | #1,323 | #1,207 | #1,287 | #1,325 | #1,479 | #1,459 | #1,650 | #1,413 | #1,520 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Nicknames for Barry
Established short forms and pet names, not made-up ones.
- Bazr becomes z, a newer British and Australian habit
- BazzaBaz + -za
Other forms of Barry
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- BarraFair-haired (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- FionnbharrFair-haired (Irish Gaelic, boy)
Names spelled like Barry
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- BarakLightning (Hebrew, boy)
- BaranRain (Persian, unisex)
- BadrFull moon (Arabic, boy)
- BarazExalted (Persian, boy)
- BarışPeace, reconciliation (Turkish, boy)
- BayA sheltered curve of coast (English, unisex)
Names with a similar meaning
- FinnFair, white (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- AdelJust, fair (Arabic, boy)
- BiancaWhite, fair (Germanic, girl)
- BlancheWhite, fair (Old French, girl)
- CassidyCurly-haired (Irish Gaelic, unisex)
- FinleyFair warrior (Scottish Gaelic, unisex)
- FionaFair, white (Scottish Gaelic, girl)
- FionnFair, white (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- GwenWhite, fair, blessed (Welsh, girl)
- ReidRed-haired (Old English, boy)
Middle names for Barry
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Irish Gaelic
- OscarPossibly deer friend (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- FergusMan of vigor (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- KevinGentle birth (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- RonanLittle seal (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- RoryRed king (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- AidanLittle fire (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- AidenLittle fire (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- AodhFire, flame (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- AydenVariant of Aidan, little fire (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- BrendanA prince (Irish Gaelic, boy)
Barry: common questions
What does the name Barry mean?
Barry comes from Irish Gaelic and means "fair-haired".
Is Barry a boy or girl name?
Barry is mainly a boy's name.
What are nicknames for Barry?
Common nicknames for Barry include Baz and Bazza.
How popular is the name Barry?
Barry ranked #1,520 in the US in 2025, with 114 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Barry?
Forms of Barry with the same meaning and origin include Barra (Irish) and Fionnbharr (Irish).
What middle names go with Barry?
Middle names that flow well with Barry include Elton, Ezekiel, Grayson, Langston and Laurence. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.