Origin, Meaning, And History Of Barry
Barry is a unisex given name with Irish and English roots. According to some sources, it is an anglicized form of the Irish name Barra, which is a diminutive of the Irish terms Bairrfhionn and Finbar, both of which mean ‘fair-headed,’ ‘fair-topped,’ or ‘fair-haired.’ The name is also considered a pet name for Bartholomew, a Christain name meaning ‘son of Tamai.’ In some other cases, Barry is considered an anglicized form of the Irish term Berach, which signifies ‘pointed,’ ‘spear,’ or ‘sharp.’
Besides being used as a first name, Barry is also a surname. It is said to be taken from the Gaelic surname O’ Baire, which indicates a male descendent of Fionnbharr or the fair-haired one. The name is also believed to have French origin, in which Barry means ‘dweller of the barrier.’ In Celtic, Barry means ‘marksman,’ and in German, the name means ‘brave.’
The alternate spelling of Barry is Barrie, and the phonetic spelling is BARR-EE. Some of the common variants of Barry include Bary, Barrington, Baris, and Bernard. The male variation of the name is Burry, and the female variation is Buria. In addition, babies named Barry may have a few adorable nicknames, such as Baz, Bazza, Bal, and Bud. As a young boy, Barry was also the nickname for U.S. President Barack Obama.
Apart from being a charming choice for a baby name, Barry has also gained popularity as a name for fictional characters in pop culture. Among the noteworthy fictitious personas named Barry is Barry Kripke, a character from the famous American sitcom,The Big Bang Theory. He is portrayed as a fellow scientist who works alongside the main characters at Caltech University.
Some more fictional characters named Barry include Barry Robinson from the TV seriesAmerican Dad, Barry Evans from the British TV soapEastEnders, and Barry Bluejeans from the podcastThe Adventure Zone, a rival in the Pokemon video games. In addition, William Makepeace Thackeray’s novelThe Luck of Barry Lyndonfeatures a titular character named Barry Lyndon.
How To Pronounce Barry?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Barry in English.
Famous People With The Name Barry
- Barry BostwickAmerican actor, best known for his role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the sitcom Spin City
- Barry GoldwaterUS Air Force major general, decorated with many medals and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1986
- Barry KramerAn attorney, a retired judge, and a former professional basketball player from the United States
- Barry LarkinAmerican baseball player, won Gold Glove Award three times (1994–1996)
- Barry NewmanAmerican stage and television actor, best known for his performance in television series Petrocelli
Barry On The Popularity Chart
Barry was a popular baby name in the US in the 1980s. However, its popularity gradually declined. Refer to the graphs below for a detailed overview.
Popularity Over Time
From 1,396 babies named Barry in 1980, only 121 babies received the name in 2021. Take a look at the graph below to know how the name fared during these years.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Barry experienced a decline in popularity in name rankings from 1980 until 2007. However, following that period, there was a slight improvement in the name’s ranking. Refer to the graph below for better insight.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Barry
Did Barry’s short, sweet, and melodic tone attract you? Here are some more similar-sounding names that you can explore.
Popular Sibling Names For Barry
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Barry, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Barry
Find matching brother names for Barry and create a wonderful team of siblings.
Bary Berihert Bourke Bourn Bourne Bracken Braddon Braden Bradene BradfordGirl Sibling Names For Barry
Looking for some suitable sister names for Barry? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
Barra Berget Berry Beryan Birgit Birgith Birgitte Braila Branna BreOther Popular Names Beginning With B
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter B to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Barry
Are you looking for more names that mean as deep as Barry? Below are some suggestions to consider.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
barry
In Sign Language
barry
In Braille Alphabet
barry
In Morse Code
barry
Name Numerology For Barry
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Barry?
The name Barry means ‘fair headed.’
2. What is the origin of the name Barry?
Barry has English and Irish origins.
3. How to pronounce the name Barry?
Barry is pronounced as bar-ry.
4. What are some positive characteristics associated with the name Barry?
Some positive characteristics of the name Barry are inherent charm, grace, and idealism. People named Barry have a natural charisma that equips them to lead not only individuals but also groups of people. Lastly, they also demonstrate compassion, sympathy, and a genuinely kind and caring nature.
5. What are some cute and unique middle names for Barry?