# Gary

> English word · Proper noun · IPA /ˈɡæ.ɹɪ/ · frequency rank #3,695

## Definitions
1. A male given name from the Germanic languages, popular from the 1940s to the 1970s; variant form Garry.
2. A surname from Middle English [in turn originating as a patronymic]; variant form Garry.
3. Numerous places in the United States:
4. Numerous places in the United States:
5. Numerous places in the United States:
6. Numerous places in the United States:
7. Numerous places in the United States:
8. Numerous places in the United States:
9. Numerous places in the United States:

## Etymology
Medieval short form of Germanic compound names beginning with gari or geri ("spear"), such as Gerard, Gerald, or Gerbert. Cognate with the Scottish and Irish name Garaidh.
The popularity of the given name in the 20th century is due to the American actor Gary Cooper, whose stage name was invented by his agent, a native of Gary, Indiana.

## Easily confused with
- **GR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-gr)
- **guy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-guy)
- **gas** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-gas)
- **Gay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-gay)
- **ger** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-ger)
- **GRE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-gre)
- **GDR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-gdr)
- **Gaz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-gaz)
- **gat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-gat)
- **GRU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-gru)
- **GTR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-gtr)
- **gro** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-gro)
- **gor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-gor)
- **grr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-grr)
- **grt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-grt)
- **girl** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-girl)
- **gave** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-gave)
- **grey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-grey)
- **gear** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-gear)
- **gray** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gary-vs-gray)

## Common misspellings (5)
`agry`, `garry`, `garyy`, `gayr`, `ggary`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/gary