The first name Kerry
A unisex name from Norse meaning “descendant of ciardha”, “black”.
Pronounced /ˈkɛɹi/ 2 syllables Unisex Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Norse origin
Kerry means “descendant of ciardha”, “black” in Norse.
* As an English surname, from a personal name derived from Old Norse Kári. * As an Irish surname, from Ó Ciardha (“descendant of Ciardha”), from ciar (“black”).
More names that mean black.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
Kerry last appeared in the official list in 2024, given to 4 girls. It peaked in 1996, with 333 births (#136).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Kerry with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Kerry at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 55 boys born in the United States were named Kerry, the 2,464th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1971, when 2,206 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Kerry in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Nicknames and spellings
More Norse unisex names
Questions
- What does the name Kerry mean?
- Kerry means “descendant of ciardha”, “black” in Norse.
- What is the origin of the name Kerry?
- * As an English surname, from a personal name derived from Old Norse Kári. * As an Irish surname, from Ó Ciardha (“descendant of Ciardha”), from ciar (“black”).
- How popular is the name Kerry?
- In 2024, 4 girls born in England and Wales were named Kerry, ranking 4,843rd. Its peak was 1996, with 333 births.
- What are nicknames for Kerry?
- Common nicknames for Kerry include Kez, Kezza.
- Is Kerry a boy's or a girl's name?
- Both. Of the 98,644 US babies named Kerry since 1880, 49% were girls and 51% boys.
- When was Kerry most popular?
- 1971 in the United States, when 2,206 babies were named Kerry, its highest rank at 145th.
- How do you pronounce Kerry?
- Kerry is /ˈkɛɹi/, 2 syllables.
- What are other spellings of Kerry?
- Kerri, Kerrie and Keri.
- Is Kerry also a surname?
- Yes. Kerry is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.