Gentry is a surname of English origin that has also been used as a given name in recent years. The name is derived from the Old French word "gentil," which means "noble." In medieval England, Gentry was often used to refer to people of gentle birth or rank, such as knights and nobles. Over time, the term came to be applied to anyone who was considered a member of the middle class or gentry, rather than being part of the nobility or the peasantry.
The use of Gentry as a given name is believed to have originated in the United States during the mid-20th century. It has since gained popularity and can now be found throughout the English-speaking world. Some famous people with the name Gentry include American musician Gentry McCarter, Australian rules footballer Travis Gentry, and British actress Gentry White.
While Gentry may not have a specific meaning or history associated with it as a given name, its origins in medieval English society give it a unique and interesting background. As a surname, Gentry has been used for generations and is believed to have originated from the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Today, Gentry continues to be a popular choice for parents looking for a distinctive and meaningful name for their child.
The name Gentry has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. From only five births recorded in both 1934 and 1945, the number of babies named Gentry began to rise steadily in the late 1960s and early 1970s, reaching double digits by 1970 with twelve births that year.
This trend continued into the 1980s, with a notable spike in popularity between 1984 and 1985, when the number of babies named Gentry more than doubled from twenty-nine to sixty-five. This growth was sustained throughout the decade, reaching seventy-three births in 2010.
The name Gentry gained even greater traction in the 2010s, with a significant increase in popularity over the course of the decade. In 2012, there were 127 babies named Gentry, marking a considerable jump from the previous year's total of seventy-three births. This growth was maintained throughout the remainder of the decade, culminating in a record-high 151 births in 2018.
While there has been some fluctuation in popularity since then, with a slight dip to 123 births in 2020 and 117 births in 2022, the name Gentry remains popular among parents in the United States. Overall, from 1934 to 2022, there have been a total of 2609 babies named Gentry born in the U.S., demonstrating its enduring appeal as a boys' name.
These statistics highlight the evolving popularity of the name Gentry over time and reflect changing trends in baby naming. They also showcase the name's ability to withstand fluctuations in popularity and maintain a steady presence among parents' choices for their newborn sons.