Geary is a unique and uncommon name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic surname "Ó Géibhinn," which means "descendant of Geibheann." The name Geibheann itself comes from the Old Irish word for "little speckled one."
The history of the name Geary can be traced back to ancient Ireland, where it was originally a clan name. The Ó Géibhinn clan was located in County Cork, and they were known as warriors and chieftains. Over time, the surname evolved into various forms, including Geary, Geraghty, and Garrity.
In modern times, Geary is still relatively rare, but it has been used as both a first name and a last name. Some famous people with the name Geary include American actress Shannon Geary and Irish politician Michael Geary.
Despite its obscure origins, the name Geary carries a certain charm and uniqueness that sets it apart from more common names. Its meaning adds to its appeal, as "little speckled one" is often associated with qualities such as diversity, individuality, and adaptability. Overall, Geary is a distinctive and meaningful name with a rich history behind it.
Based on the statistics provided, we can see that the name Geary has had a varied history of usage in the United States over the past century.
From the years 1916 to 1934, there were fewer than ten births with the name Geary each year, indicating that it was not a particularly popular name during this time period. However, starting in 1937, the number of births with the name Geary began to increase significantly.
The peak years for the name Geary were between 1950 and 1954, with a total of 610 births recorded during these five years alone. This represents approximately 25% of all Geary births in the United States over the past century.
After 1954, the popularity of the name Geary began to decline steadily. By the year 2000, there were only five births with the name Geary recorded in the United States. This downward trend has continued into recent years, with only five births recorded in both 2002 and 2011.
In total, there have been 2457 births with the name Geary recorded in the United States since 1916. While this may seem like a significant number, it is important to keep in mind that these statistics represent only a small fraction of all births in the country during this time period.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Geary has fluctuated over the past century, it has remained a relatively uncommon name in the United States. Despite its limited usage, however, the name Geary has still been chosen by thousands of parents for their children over the years.