Jerry Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Jerry is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Jerry?
Jerry is spelled J-E-R-R-Y. The name has 5 letters.
Jerry at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Jerry is often a diminutive form of names such as Gerald, which means “rule of the spear”, and Jerome, which means “sacred name.”
- Origin
- Jerry is commonly considered a pet form derived from several Germanic and Greek names, including Gerald and Jerome.
- Pronunciation
- JEH-ree · 2 syllables
Jerry Popularity in 2025
Rank#906
Recorded Births262
- Boys usage fell 40 places to #906 and recorded 17 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Jerry Mean?
Jerry is often a diminutive form of names such as Gerald, which means “rule of the spear”, and Jerome, which means “sacred name.”
Origin: Jerry is commonly considered a pet form derived from several Germanic and Greek names, including Gerald and Jerome.
How Do You Pronounce Jerry?
PronunciationJEH-ree
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Jerry?
- History
- The use of Jerry as an independent given name has been recorded primarily in English-speaking countries from the 19th century onward, evolving from its origins as a nickname.
Jerry Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2005 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 262 | #906 |
| 2024 | Boys | 279 | #866 |
| 2023 | Boys | 287 | #845 |
| 2022 | Boys | 341 | #751 |
| 2021 | Boys | 354 | #729 |
| 2020 | Boys | 457 | #601 |
| 2019 | Boys | 381 | #676 |
| 2018 | Boys | 455 | #600 |
| 2017 | Girls | 6 | #14,124 |
| 2017 | Boys | 496 | #554 |
| 2016 | Boys | 597 | #503 |
| 2015 | Boys | 603 | #487 |
| 2014 | Boys | 656 | #452 |
| 2013 | Boys | 636 | #449 |
| 2012 | Boys | 620 | #444 |
| 2011 | Boys | 724 | #393 |
| 2010 | Boys | 750 | #384 |
| 2009 | Boys | 820 | #370 |
| 2008 | Girls | 8 | #12,579 |
| 2008 | Boys | 1,049 | #319 |
| 2007 | Boys | 996 | #322 |
| 2006 | Boys | 1,010 | #318 |
| 2005 | Girls | 5 | #16,462 |
| 2005 | Boys | 1,046 | #315 |
When Was Jerry Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1947 · Boys
18,794 recorded births
National rank #20
1943 · Boys
17,730 recorded births
National rank #17
1946 · Boys
17,567 recorded births
National rank #20
1942 · Boys
17,488 recorded births
National rank #16
Where Jerry Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| AR | #489 | 6 |
| IN | #545 | 12 |
| OK | #552 | 7 |
| KY | #569 | 7 |
| IA | #571 | 5 |
| MO | #597 | 9 |
| TN | #672 | 10 |
| IL | #711 | 12 |