Gary is a male given name of English origin. The name Gary is derived from the Norman French word "Garin", which means "spear". This name was brought to England by the Normans during the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The name Garry has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages, but it was not particularly popular until the 20th century. In the United States, for example, Gary became quite common in the mid-20th century, peaking in popularity during the 1940s and 1950s.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Garry or variations thereof. Some examples include:
* Sir Garry Kasparov, a Russian chess grandmaster who was World Chess Champion from 1985 to 2000.
* Gary Cooper, an American actor known for his roles in classic Western films such as "High Noon" and "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town".
* Gary Oldman, an English actor famous for his roles in films like "The Dark Knight" trilogy and "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy".
In literature, the name Garry appears in works such as "Garryowen", a song about a town in Ireland that was popular during the American Civil War. Additionally, there is a character named Garry in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.
Today, Gary remains a popular given name for boys around the world. It has also inspired several variations and nickname forms, such as Garrick, Garett, Garrett, and even Garyk. Despite its Norman origins, the name Garry is now commonly associated with English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
The name Garry has seen a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century, with its highest peak occurring in the mid-20th century.
In the early years recorded, there were only seven births with the name Garry in 1934. The following years showed fluctuations, with six births in 1937 and five in both 1939 and 1953. However, the popularity of the name started to grow in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
The year 1954 saw a significant increase with eleven births, which was followed by eight births each in 1955 and 1965. The name Garry continued to be popular throughout the 1960s and 70s, with seven births recorded in both 1963 and 1972, and six in 1984.
In total, there were 179 babies named Garry born in the United States over these years. While the name's popularity has waxed and waned over time, it remains a distinctive choice for parents seeking a unique name with historical roots.