Barry

The first name Barry is borrowed from English and has its roots in the Irish language. It is considered an anglicized variant of the Irish Gaelic names Bairre and Berach.

What does the name Barry mean?

The name Barry, of masculine gender, also originates from English with Irish roots. It is regarded as an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic names Bairre and Berach. Translated, it can mean either 'the blonde one' or 'the spear thrower' or 'the sharp one'. Bairre is often interpreted as a diminutive of Finbar. The roots are in the Old Irish elements finn, meaning 'white', 'bright', or 'blessed', and barr, meaning 'top', 'head', or 'chief'. Berach, on the other hand, derives from the Old Irish term berach, which means 'sharp' or 'pointed', or from the Gaelic word biorach, meaning 'the spear'. It is believed that the name Barry originated in Scotland from a surname that originally referred to a geographical location. Alternatives to Barry include the names Barra and Berry.

Where does the name Barry come from?

The name Barry has Old Irish roots and means 'the blonde one' or 'the spear thrower'. The etymology consists of the Old Irish elements: Bairre, where finn stands for 'white', 'bright', or 'blessed', and barr for 'top', 'head', or 'chief'. Berach derives either from the Old Irish word berach, meaning 'sharp' or 'pointed', or from the Gaelic biorach, meaning 'the spear'. The languages in which this name occurs are English, Irish, and Welsh.

How do you pronounce Barry?

The sound and pronunciation of the name Barry are two syllables and rhythmically compact. It is usually pronounced as [ˈbɛri] or [ˈbæri] in English, with the double consonant -rr- creating a condensed middle. The bright -y at the end gives the name a friendly finish. This makes Barry appear modern and approachable – lively and clear.

When is the name day of Barry?

The name day for Barry is celebrated on September 25.

Popularity

In Germany, Barry is a rather rare first name. In 2023, it ranked 5,488 on the list of the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 2014, reaching 2,076. Over the last ten years, Barry has been given as a first name approximately 30 times, placing it 4,271 in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it holds the 4,180 position.

Nicknames & pet names

Barr / Barrtsch / Bazza

Famous people

• Barry Alan Crompton Gibb (British-Australian singer & songwriter)
• Barry Allen (superhero)
• Barry Ardern (footballer from Canada)
• Barry Ashbee (Canadian ice hockey player)
• Barry B. Benson (fictional bee in 'Bee Movie')
• Barry Besanko (Australian football player)
• Barry Blue (English singer)
• Barry Bonds (baseball player from India)
• Barry Charles (Australian writer)
• Barry Cunningham (Grenadian footballer)
• Barry Dennen (American actor)
• Barry Ferguson (Scottish football professional)
• Barry Gibb (Australian singer and music producer)
• Barry Goldwater (American politician and senator)
• Barry Jenks (Canadian bishop)
• Barry K Barnes (English actor)
• Barry Kerch (drummer of the hard rock band Shinedown)
• Barry Kimberley (Australian footballer)
• Barry Lamb (musician from England)
• Barry Magee (New Zealand athlete)