Kerry

At a Glance

Meaning

Dark/black (via Ó Ciardha or County Kerry); alternatively from Old Norse Kári

Origin

Irish (surname/place name) or English (surname)

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

KEH-reeListen

Kerry (KEH-ree) comes from the Irish surname and place name, and from English use as a surname too, and it carries the meaning "dark" or "black" through Ó Ciardha, 'descendant of Ciardha', or through County Kerry; some trace it instead to the Old Norse Kári. You'll sometimes see it tied directly to the name Ciaran, but that link isn't accurate: Kerry comes from the root ciar ('dark'), a related but separate path.

Meaning & Origin of Kerry

Meaning: Dark/black (via Ó Ciardha or County Kerry); alternatively from Old Norse Kári.

Origin: Irish (surname/place name) or English (surname).

A common claim: "Ciaran's people; dark" Actually: Kerry is sometimes linked directly to the name Ciaran, but it actually traces to Ó Ciardha ('descendant of Ciardha') and the root ciar ('dark') — a related but distinct derivation.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Kerry

Popularity of Kerry

Kerry peaked at #145 in 1971, when 2,206 babies were given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #2683, with 49 babies, so today it's a rarely heard name.

Names Like Kerry

These names have followed a similar path to Kerry in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Jody
• Sunshine
• Marcell
• Cedrick
• Anissa
• Alethea

FAQ

What does the name Kerry mean?

Dark/black (via Ó Ciardha or County Kerry); alternatively from Old Norse Kári. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Kerry?

Kerry is pronounced KEH-ree (IPA: /ˈkɛri/).

Is Kerry a popular name right now?

Kerry peaked at #145 in 1971 and is ranked #2683 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1920–2024.)

Make Kerry Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Kerry, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.