Terry

Pronunciation: [ t-EHR-ee ]

Boy Name #1,187 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A mid-century classic with roots in Germanic royalty

English American Irish

Classic Traditional Casual Playful

Meaning & Origin

"power of the tribe"

Origin: Germanic

Language: English

"from the Roman family Terentius"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

The Story of Terry

Terry evolved as a medieval English pet form of Theodoric, from the Germanic 'þeudō' (people, tribe) and 'rīc' (power, ruler) — thus 'ruler of the people.' It was also used as a diminutive of Terence, the Roman family name Terentius. By the mid-20th century, Terry had become a fully independent given name in English-speaking countries.

Terry peaked in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, riding the wave of friendly, two-syllable names that defined the Baby Boomer generation. Its popularity declined gradually from the 1980s onward as parents sought less common alternatives.

In Britain, Terry is associated with the beloved comedian Terry Wogan and chocolatier Terry's of York. In Canada, Terry Fox's legendary Marathon of Hope in 1980 made the name synonymous with courage and perseverance.

Fun Facts

The French form Thierry is currently far more popular in France than Terry is in English-speaking countries
Terry Fox ran 5,373 km across Canada in 1980 with a prosthetic leg before cancer halted his journey
Terry cloth fabric takes its name from the French 'tiré' (pulled) not from the name Terry

Terry in Other Languages

French Thierry

German Dietrich

Spanish Terence

Famous People Named Terry

Terry Crews

Actor

1968

American actor, former NFL player, and TV personality known for Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Terry Fox

Activist

1958

Canadian cancer activist and athlete who ran across Canada to raise money for cancer research

Terry Pratchett

Writer

1948

British author of the beloved Discworld fantasy series, one of the best-selling novelists of all time

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,187
Total SSA Count: 174
Cultural Origins: English American Irish
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Terrance #1295 Terrell #1495 Terrence #1525

Common Nicknames

Ter

Pairs Well With

Terry James Terry Michael Terry Lee Terry Wayne Terry Allen Terry Ray

Sibling Names

Jerry Bobby Jimmy Carrie Debbie Gary

Also a Girl Name

Terry is also used as a girl name, ranked #10737.

View Terry as a girl name →

Similar Names

Geraldine Harry Jessie Jerry Perry Larry Gary Barry

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Terry and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Terry sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more boy names →

Explore More Generators

🧝 Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
🐾 Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
🎭 Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres

Frequently Asked Questions About Terry

What does the name Terry mean?

"power of the tribe" (from Germanic). "from the Roman family Terentius" (from Latin). Terry evolved as a medieval English pet form of Theodoric, from the Germanic 'þeudō' (people, tribe) and 'rīc' (power, ruler) — thus 'ruler of the people.' It was also used as a diminutive of Terence, the Roman family name Terentius. By the mid-20th century, Terry had become a fully independent given name in English-speaking countries.

What is the origin of the name Terry?

Terry has Germanic, Latin, English, American, and Irish origins. In Germanic, it means "power of the tribe". In Latin, it means "from the Roman family Terentius".

Is Terry a boy or girl name?

Terry is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1187. As a girl name, it is ranked #10737. Terry is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Terry?

Terry is pronounced t-EHR-ee.

How popular is the name Terry?

Terry is currently ranked #1187 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Terry?

Common nicknames for Terry include Ter.

What are good middle names for Terry?

Popular middle name pairings include Terry James, Terry Michael, Terry Lee, Terry Wayne, Terry Allen, and Terry Ray.

What are good sibling names for Terry?

Names that pair well with Terry as siblings include Jerry, Bobby, Jimmy, Carrie, Debbie, and Gary.

How many syllables does Terry have?

Terry has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Terry a common or rare name?

Terry is an uncommon name, ranked #1187 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Terry

Terry is a boy name with English, American, and Irish origins . The name means "power of the tribe" in Germanic .

Is Terry a boy or girl name? Terry is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,187 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #10,737. Terry is more commonly used as a boy name.

Terry is currently ranked #1,187 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Terry has 2 syllables and is pronounced t-EHR-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Terry include Ter. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Terry include Terrance, Terrell, Terrence . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.