Given name & surname
Terry
“learned”·“instigator”·“from an ancient Roman clan”
Terry is a variant of Terence. Interpretations include “learned” (Latin), “instigator” (Latin), and “from an ancient Roman clan” (Latin). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Terry is a variant of Terence. Interpretations include “learned” (Latin), “instigator” (Latin), and “from an ancient Roman clan” (Latin). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Terry is a variant of Terence. A possible origin is Latin, although the derivation remains uncertain.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In English usage, Terry is a diminutive of Teresa.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Terry is a variant of Terence. The history of Terence gives this family its wider story. Terence’s historical associations include the Roman playwright Marcus Terentius Afer, and later various early Christian saints.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Terry through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 521,478
- 424,523 boys · 96,955 girls
- Most popular year
- 1955
- 20,939 babies
- 2025
- 202
- #1,116 for boys · #10,047 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −35%
- Cooling
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 97% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 192 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,116 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 35.1% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 15,624 in 1957. It also appeared in 10 birth records for girls in 2025. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (26). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 376,955 as a first name in 2020; 83,406 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Terry’s family of names
In English usage, Terry is a diminutive of Teresa. In English usage, Terry has a related form in Teri. In English usage, Terry is a diminutive of Terence.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Terry has relatives in 4 languages.
10 related names in 4 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 11
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
- Teresafull form · English
- Terrencefull form
- Terencefull form · English
- Terivariant · English
- Terryelikely variant
- Telnickname · English
- Torryvariant · English
- Tarryvariant · English
Show 3 moreShow fewer
Spellings & scripts 4
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 3
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 6
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Terry
- Terry PratchettEnglish fantasy author (1948–2015)
- Hulk HoganAmerican professional wrestler, actor and television personality (1953–2025)
- Terry CrewsAmerican actor, television host, and American football player (born 1968)
- Terry JonesWelsh actor, comedian, director, historian and writer (1942–2020)
- Teri GarrAmerican actress (1944–2024)
- Terry O'QuinnAmerican actorborn 1952
- Terry EagletonBritish writer, academic and educatorborn 1943
- Terry VenablesEnglish football player and manager (1943–2023)
- Terry GoodkindAmerican novelist (1948–2020)
Characters named Terry: Terry Bogard (Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters), Terry Silver (''The Karate Kid'' franchise).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Terry, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Teddy
“a gift from God” · “God”
83% boys · 17% girls
Gary
“one who wields a spear”
>99% boys
Eddy
“a wealthy protector” · “one who is wealthy in friendship”
94% boys · 6% girls
Tony
“a flourishing man; from an ancient Roman family”
>99% boys
Jerry
“a holy man; having great strength”
>99% boys
Ted
“a gift from God” · “having heart”
>99% boys
Jeffry
“a man of peace”
>99% boys
Larry
“man from Laurentum; crowned with laurel” · “a tomboyish woman”
>99% boys