Kary
Every Kary since 1917 — 3,378 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kary
Kary 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 1917, 3,378 American babies have been named Kary — about 58% girls and 42% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1971, when 108 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
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 Kary stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kary 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 | 8 | #11,696 | — | — |
| 2022 | 6 | #14,434 | — | — |
| 2021 | 8 | #11,631 | — | — |
| 2020 | 5 | #16,290 | — | — |
| 2019 | 6 | #14,662 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | 5 | #17,129 | — | — |
| 2016 | 9 | #11,311 | — | — |
| 2015 | 11 | #9,802 | — | — |
| 2014 | 7 | #13,797 | — | — |
| 2013 | 5 | #17,919 | — | — |
| 2012 | 10 | #10,831 | — | — |
| 2011 | 11 | #10,058 | — | — |
| 2010 | 8 | #12,863 | — | — |
| 2009 | 12 | #9,692 | — | — |
| 2008 | 17 | #7,573 | — | — |
| 2007 | 17 | #7,572 | — | — |
| 2006 | 14 | #8,484 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | 6 | #10,796 |
| 2004 | 12 | #8,971 | — | — |
| 2003 | 15 | #7,390 | — | — |
| 2002 | 20 | #5,771 | 5 | #11,603 |
| 2001 | 22 | #5,276 | — | — |
| 2000 | 15 | #6,981 | — | — |
| 1995 | 22 | #4,600 | 7 | #7,390 |
| 1990 | 27 | #3,843 | 16 | #3,697 |
| 1985 | 34 | #2,769 | 25 | #2,199 |
| 1980 | 27 | #3,160 | 15 | #3,026 |
| 1975 | 65 | #1,548 | 23 | #2,035 |
| 1970 | 52 | #1,743 | 38 | #1,360 |
| 1965 | 24 | #2,499 | 41 | #1,196 |
| 1960 | 23 | #2,544 | 47 | #1,144 |
| 1955 | 23 | #2,308 | 26 | #1,522 |
| 1950 | 13 | #2,973 | 16 | #1,917 |
| 1945 | — | — | 11 | #2,192 |
| 1940 | 5 | #4,702 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | 8 | #3,358 |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Kary
- Kary Mullis Chemist · 1944–2019
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Kary in 2025?
Kary 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 Kary?
3,378 babies have been named Kary in the United States since 1917, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kary most popular?
Kary peaked in 1971, when 108 newborns received the name.
Is Kary a boy or girl name?
Kary is used for both: about 58% of babies named Kary have been girls and 42% boys.
Is the name Kary rising or falling?
Kary is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Kary?
Well-known people named Kary include Kary Mullis (chemist).