Gary is a name of English origin that has been used as both a first and last name for centuries. The name comes from the Old French word "Gari", which means "spear". It was also used as a surname in medieval England, often given to someone who was swift or quick with their hands.
In the Middle Ages, Gary was not commonly used as a given name. Instead, it was typically passed down through families as a surname. However, over time, some people began using Gary as their first name, and it gained popularity during the 20th century.
Today, Gary is considered a classic yet timeless name that has been popular among parents for many years. While it may not be as trendy as some newer names, it remains a well-known and beloved choice for boys' names around the world. Despite its origins in medieval England, Gary has also become associated with American culture, particularly through famous figures like actor Gary Cooper and basketball player Gary Payton.
Overall, Gary is a strong and distinctive name that carries a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. Its meaning of "spear" adds an element of strength and power to the name, making it an appealing choice for parents looking for a traditional yet unique name for their son.
The name Gary has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the past century and a half. In fact, there have been over 900,000 babies named Gary since record-keeping began.
Looking at the statistics year by year, we can see that the name Gary was quite popular during the early to mid-20th century. The number of births per year varied greatly, with a low of just 6 births in some years and a high of over 33,000 births in others.
The peak popularity of the name Gary occurred between the late 1940s and the early 1950s. During this time, there were over 28,000 babies named Gary each year, with the highest number being recorded in 1950, when 33,741 boys were given the name.
However, like many names that were popular during this era, Gary's popularity began to decline in the late 1960s and early 1970s. By the year 2000, there were fewer than 1,500 babies named Gary each year.
Despite this decrease in popularity, Gary remains a classic name that has been chosen by parents for generations. Its timelessness is reflected in its consistent usage over time, with fluctuations in popularity but never entirely disappearing from the charts.