Gary

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Gary

Gender: Masculine
Language: English
Etymology:
1. Gary is a surname from the Norman word “geri” (spear). It is short for Gerard (“spear strong), Gerald (“spear ruler”) and other such names (Garrett, etc.).
-or-
2. Gary is a short form of Gareth (“gentle”).

History:
Gary was originally a last name. One Elbert Henry Gary, a wealthy industrialist, gave it to the town of Gary, Indiana. The town inspired a theatrical agent (Nan Collins) to rename Frank Cooper. The subsequent popularity of Gary Cooper caused his adopted name to rocket to prominence.

Pronunciation: gare-ee.

Alternates: Garry, Garrison.

Surnames: Garrison.

See also: Garry.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Gary Graffman (1928-)
American pianist.
Garry Winogrand (1928-1984)
American photographer.
Gary Snyder (1930-)
American poet.
Gary Larson (1950-)
American cartoonist.

Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Gary S. Becker (1930-)
American economist. Winner of the 1992 Nobel Prize for Economics.

Miscellaneous:
Gary Player (1935-)
South African golfer.
Gary Gabelich (1940-1984)
American race car driver.
Gary Gilmore (1941-)
American murder. Fought for his own execution.
Gary Kasparov (1963-)
Russian chess player.

Places:
Gary
Indiana, United States.

Political Figures:
Gary Hart (1936-)
American senator.
Gary Condit (1948-)
American congressman.

Singers and Entertainers:
Gary Cooper (Frank Cooper) (1901-1961)
American actor.
Garrison Keillor (1942-)
American radio personality.
Gary Busey (1944-)
American actor.
Gary Sinise (1955-)
American actor.
Gary Oldman (1958-)
English actor.
Gary Coleman (1968-)
American actor.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.650 % named Gary
0.032 % named Garry

Popularity of Gary:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 739th most popular.
1910-1920: 676th most popular.
1920-1930: 524th most popular.
1930-1940: 47th most popular.
1940-1950: 14th most popular.
1950-1960: 12th most popular.
1950: 10th most popular.
1951: 10th most popular.
1952: 10th most popular.
1953: 9th most popular.
1954: 10th most popular.
1960-1970: 26th most popular.
1970-1980: 48th most popular.
1980-1990: 80th most popular.
1990: 120th most popular.
1991: 133rd most popular.
1992: 149th most popular.
1993: 164th most popular.
1994: 174th most popular.
1995: 193rd most popular.
1996: 205th most popular.
1997: 238th most popular.
1998: 237th most popular.
1999: 254th most popular.
2000: 276th most popular.
2001: 294th most popular.
2002: 288th most popular.
2003: 326th most popular.

Popularity of Garrison:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1990: N/A
1990: N/A
1991: 920th most popular.
1992: 942nd most popular.
1993: 708th most popular.
1994: 802nd most popular.
1995: 840th most popular.
1996: 769th most popular.
1997: 793rd most popular.
1998: 659th most popular.
1999: 568th most popular.
2000: 680th most popular.
2001: 711th most popular.
2002: 668th most popular.
2003: 690th most popular.