Barry - name meaning, origin

The boy's name Barry \b(ar)-

, also used as girl's name Barry, is pronounced BARE-ee. It is of Irish and Gaelic origin, and its meaning is "fair-haired". Anglicised form of the Irish Gaelic name Barra, from Bairre (Old Irish), a short form of "fionnbharr", meaning "fair-haired" (see Finbar). Also possibly from Bearach (Irish, Gaelic) "spear; sharp, pointed". Saint Bairre (seventh century) founded a monastery that became the city of Cork in Ireland. Possibly influenced by the fame of Sir James Barrie, author of "Peter Pan". Baz and Bazza (Australian informal) are pet forms. Senator Barry M. Goldwater; film director Baz Lurhmann; singer Barry Manilow; baseball player Barry Bonds.

Barry has 9 variant forms: Bari, Barree, Barrey, Barrie, Barrington, Baris, Baz, Bazz and Berry.

For more information, see also related names Barnett and Barrett.

Baby names that sound like Barry are Barr and Parry.

Barry is a very common first name for men (#140 out of 1220) and also a very common last name for both men and women (#771 out of 88799). (1990 U.S. Census)

Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy name Barry. Compare Barry with its variant forms and related boy names.

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