Terry is a name of English origin and it's a shortened form of Terrence or Terence. These names are derived from the Latin name Terenius, which means "from the land". The name Terry has been used for centuries and was particularly popular during the mid-20th century.
The name Terry first gained popularity in the United States in the late 19th century, but it wasn't until the 1940s that it became a common choice. During this time, many parents chose to give their sons shorter, more casual names like Terry as a reaction against the stuffy and formal naming trends of the past.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Terry, including Terry Gilliam, a British-American film director, actor, writer, and member of the Monty Python comedy group; Terry Fox, a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist; and Terry Davis, a British Labour Party politician who served as the Home Secretary from 2007 to 2010.
Today, Terry is still used as a given name but it has become less common than in previous decades. However, it remains a classic choice for parents looking for a simple, straightforward name with a traditional feel.
The name Terry experienced a significant boom in popularity during the mid-20th century, reaching its peak around the years 1945 to 1963 with over 4,786 births recorded in 1954 alone. However, since the late 1960s, there has been a steady decline in the number of newborn girls named Terry, with only single-digit births recorded annually from the late 1970s onwards. In recent years, particularly between 2020 and 2023, the name Terry has become quite rare, with fewer than 10 births per year.