Kerry

unisexIrish

Kerry is an unisex name of Irish origin, meaning “People of Ciar; 'dark'”.

MeaningPeople of Ciar; 'dark'
GenderUnisex
OriginIrish
PronunciationKAIR-ee
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited Kingdom, Ireland, Australia

Meaning and origin of Kerry

Kerry is the name of a county in south-west Ireland, from the Irish Ciarraí, 'people of Ciar'. Ciar was a legendary ancestor whose name means 'dark' or 'black'. As a first name Kerry was used for boys in Australia and Ireland and became popular for girls in Britain from the 1960s. It is also used as a short form of Kerensa and Keren.

Is Kerry a religious name?

Kerry is a secular place name with no religious background.

How popular is Kerry?

Most popular for girls in Britain in the 1970s and 1980s.

Gifts with the name Kerry

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Spellings and variants of Kerry

KerriKerrieKeriCiara

Names similar to Kerry

More unisex names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Kerry mean?

Kerry means 'People of Ciar; 'dark''. It is of Irish origin.

Does Kerry have a religious meaning?

Kerry is a secular place name with no religious background.

How do you pronounce Kerry?

Kerry is pronounced KAIR-ee.

Is Kerry a boy or girl name?

Kerry is used for both boys and girls.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.