Terry
How to say it: TAIR-ee · /ˈtɛri/
Short form of Terence or Theodoric (Germanic: 'ruler of the people'). Used independently since the 20th century.
Terry was the 998th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 192 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1950s, its births are down about 50% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #1,197 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #998 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 192 |
| Share of births | 1 in 17,267 |
| Peak decade | 1950s |
| Change over 10 years | −50% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #1,197 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,436 among boys’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Popularity crested for Terry in the 1950s and has thinned considerably since. Continued softening is likely ahead.
What goes with it
Easy and familiar with a crisp close. Todd shares its midcentury ease.
Nicknames
- Tel
Honouring a Terry in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Terry is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, German.
In France: #2,436 for boys in 2025.
Keep exploring
About as popular as Terry
Find names you'll both love, starting with Terry
The one-minute style quiz.