Gary
Fact sheet
- Name
- Gary
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 2
Gary is an English first name that is considered a diminutive of Garrett. Its roots lie in the Old High German names Gerald and Gerhard. The meaning of Gary is derived from the Old High German word 'ger', which means 'spear'. Thus, Gary can be interpreted as 'the spear' or 'the spear bearer'.
What does the name Gary mean?
Gary is an English first name and is considered a diminutive of Garrett. It originates from the Old High German names Gerald and Gerhard. In its meaning, Gary can simply be understood as 'the spear' or 'the spear bearer', with the derivation from the Old High German word 'ger' for 'spear'. An alternative spelling is Garry.
Where does the name Gary come from?
The etymology of Gary points to Old High German origins and means 'the spear' or 'the spear bearer'. The Old High German word 'ger' stands for 'spear'. In languages, Gary is primarily widespread in American and English.
How do you pronounce Gary?
The pronunciation of Gary is clear and two-syllable. It is pronounced as 'Ga-ry' [ˈɡɛʁi] or [ˈɡaʁi]. The name begins with an open vowel, giving it a direct note. The soft ending syllable provides a harmonious conclusion. Overall, Gary conveys a simple, international impression - compact, friendly, and present.
Popularity
In Germany, Gary is a rather rare first name. In 2023, it ranks 5,488th on the list of the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 2005 at rank 827. In the last ten years, Gary has been used as a first name about 20 times, placing it 4,991st in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 5,542nd.
Nicknames & pet names
Garo / Garrychen / Garrylie / Gaz
Famous people
- Gary Barlow (singer)
- Gary Brown (footballer from England)
- Gary Chaloner (Australian writer)
- Gary Cooper (American actor 1901 - 1961)
- Gary Cunningham (Canadian ice hockey player)
- Gary Davis (American football player)
- Gary Dillon (ice hockey player from Canada)
- Gary Dotter (American baseball player)
- Gary Gibbons (British physicist)
- Gary Glasgow (footballer from Trinidad and Tobago)
- Gary Graham (American actor)
- Gary Hart (British footballer)
- Gary Holton (English actor)
- Gary Jones (English footballer)
- Gary Kemp (English pop musician)
- Gary Lee Noffke (artist from the USA)
- Gary Levox (American country singer from Rascal Flatts)
- Gary Lightbody (singer of Snow Patrol)
- Gary Lord (American artist)
- Gary McSpadden (American singer)
Frequently asked questions about the name Gary
What is the origin of the name Gary?
Gary has Old High German roots and is regarded as a diminutive of Garrett. The name is primarily widespread in American and English.
What does the first name Gary mean?
The meaning of Gary is 'the spear' or 'the spear bearer', derived from the Old High German word 'ger', which means 'spear'.
How popular is the name Gary?
Gary was particularly popular in the 1920s and 1930s in the USA, but has lost popularity in recent decades.