Barry vs Liam

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Barry

Boy #1,421 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"fair-haired, blonde head"

Origin: Irish Gaelic Fionnbarra

Cultural Roots

Irish English American Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,421
Total SSA Count
130
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Bar

Playground Safety Score

12 High Risk

{:type=>:nickname, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Barry' can be twisted to 'scary'"}

Full profile for Barry →

Popularity Comparison

Barry Rank #1,421
Liam Rank #1

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 vs #1421 for Barry.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Barry ___

  • Barry James
  • Barry John
  • Barry Michael
  • Barry Thomas
  • Barry Patrick
  • Barry Allen

Liam ___

  • Liam James
  • Liam Alexander
  • Liam Thomas
  • Liam Michael
  • Liam Patrick
  • Liam Joseph

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Barry

Gary Larry Terry Carol Sharon

If you choose Liam

Olivia Emma Noah Charlotte Sophia

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Barry or Liam more popular?

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 compared to Barry at #1421 in the United States.

What do Barry and Liam mean?

Barry means "fair-haired, blonde head" (Irish Gaelic Fionnbarra origin). Liam means "strong-willed warrior" (Irish origin).

Are Barry and Liam boy or girl names?

Barry is primarily a boy name. Liam is primarily a boy name.

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