Is Terry a boy's or girl's name?

Terry is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 96,944 recorded births.

When was Terry most popular?

Terry reached its peak popularity in 1957 with 15,618 births that year. It is currently ranked #1186 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Terry?

Terry is currently ranked #1186 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 424,330 babies since 1880.

Terry

A Germanic name gently fading from the charts.

Boy's name| Also girlsGermanicDeclining Also a pet name

#1186▼ 121in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A surname originating as a patronymic from the medieval Norman given name Thierry, a cognate of the English Derek.

Terry is a boy's and girl's baby name of Germanic origin, anglicized from the medieval Norman name Thierry, derived from the Germanic Theodoric, meaning "ruler of the people" — combining theud (people) and ric (ruler, power). It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest.

Terry was a U.S. top 30 name in the 1950s and 1960s. Director Terry Gilliam of Monty Python fame and football legend Terry Bradshaw demonstrate the name's broad cultural range. Its casual ease and friendly sound made it a defining mid-century American name for both boys and girls.

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Popularity Over Time

Terry was #400 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1186, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Terry
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,061	#1038	▼
2010s	4,047	#641	▼
2000s	6,638	#418	▼
1990s	13,043	#238	▼
1980s	24,157	#121	▼
1970s	42,427	#72	▼
1960s	101,484	#39	▼
1950s	140,724	#30	▲
1940s	76,966	#42	▲
1930s	11,024	#186	▲
1920s	1,646	#486	▲
1910s	711	#591	▲
1900s	186	#563	▲
1890s	118	#693	▲
1880s	98	#632	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(144 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Terry
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	174	#1186	-30 (-14.7%)
2023	204	#1065	-27 (-11.7%)
2022	231	#978	+17 (7.9%)
2021	214	#1028	-24 (-10.1%)
2020	238	#933	-29 (-10.9%)
2019	267	#843	-47 (-15.0%)
2018	314	#755	-44 (-12.3%)
2017	358	#691	-30 (-7.7%)
2016	388	#666	0
2015	388	#664	-35 (-8.3%)
2014	423	#625	-5 (-1.2%)
2013	428	#593	-54 (-11.2%)
2012	482	#542	+4 (0.8%)
2011	478	#532	-43 (-8.3%)
2010	521	#497	+39 (8.1%)
2009	482	#549	-98 (-16.9%)
2008	580	#480	-28 (-4.6%)
2007	608	#455	-6 (-1.0%)
2006	614	#445	-79 (-11.4%)
2005	693	#406	+36 (5.5%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Terry as a Girl's Name

Though more common for boys, Terry has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 96,944 births since 1892.

#10169

Current rank

96,944

Total births

1955

Peak year

Compare Terry as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Terry be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Terry is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1186. As a girl's name, it ranks #10169.

Terry has two lives

Terry, the baby name

#1186boys

424,330 babies

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology