At a Glance: Name: Kerry – Meaning: dark/black (via Ó Ciardha or County Kerry); alternatively from Old Norse Kári – Origin: Irish (surname/place name) or English (surname) – Gender: Unisex – Pronunciation: KEH-ree
Kerry is an Irish (surname/place name) or English (surname) unisex name meaning “dark/black (via Ó Ciardha or County Kerry); alternatively from Old Norse Kári”. It appears in 4 of our baby name lists.
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
Phonetic: KEH-ree IPA: /ˈkɛri/
Popularity of Kerry
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1920–2024.
Lists That Include Kerry
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Similar Names
Darcy · Rowan · Shane · Donovan · Duncan · Douglas
