Derry
From Irish Doire, from doire (“oak grove”), from Old Irish daire (“oak forest”), from Proto-Celtic *daru.
Every Derry since 1914 — 1,678 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Derry
Derry is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1914, 1,678 American babies have been named Derry — about 92% boys and 8% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1957, when 55 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Derry stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Derry year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | 6 | #11,066 |
| 2015 | — | — | 7 | #9,810 |
| 2014 | — | — | 6 | #11,066 |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | 11 | #7,217 |
| 2006 | — | — | 9 | #8,171 |
| 2005 | — | — | 7 | #9,370 |
| 2004 | — | — | 5 | #11,803 |
| 2003 | — | — | 11 | #6,359 |
| 2002 | — | — | 6 | #9,678 |
| 2001 | — | — | 5 | #10,995 |
| 2000 | — | — | 9 | #6,976 |
| 1995 | — | — | 12 | #4,873 |
| 1990 | — | — | 12 | #4,467 |
| 1985 | — | — | 23 | #2,309 |
| 1980 | — | — | 16 | #2,858 |
| 1975 | — | — | 17 | #2,468 |
| 1970 | 6 | #7,298 | 30 | #1,552 |
| 1965 | — | — | 26 | #1,530 |
| 1960 | 5 | #6,590 | 35 | #1,346 |
| 1955 | 6 | #5,350 | 29 | #1,427 |
| 1950 | — | — | 27 | #1,403 |
| 1945 | — | — | 22 | #1,420 |
| 1940 | — | — | 14 | #1,917 |
| 1935 | 5 | #4,363 | 12 | #2,158 |
| 1930 | — | — | 10 | #2,644 |
| 1925 | — | — | 7 | #3,493 |
| 1920 | — | — | 7 | #3,566 |
| 1915 | — | — | 7 | #3,157 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Derry mean?
From Irish Doire, from doire (“oak grove”), from Old Irish daire (“oak forest”), from Proto-Celtic *daru.
How popular is the name Derry in 2025?
Derry did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Derry?
1,678 babies have been named Derry in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Derry most popular?
Derry peaked in 1957, when 55 newborns received the name.
Is Derry a boy or girl name?
Derry is used for both: about 8% of babies named Derry have been girls and 92% boys.
Is the name Derry rising or falling?
Derry is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.