Gary
/ˈɡæɹ.ɪ/ proper noun, noun
Forms Garys
- proper noun A male given name from the Germanic languages, popular from the 1940s to the 1970s; variant form Garry.
- proper noun A surname from Middle English [in turn originating as a patronymic]; variant form Garry.
- proper noun A city in Lake County, Indiana, named after American judge and businessman Elbert Henry Gary.
- proper noun A neighbourhood of Tampa, Florida.
- proper noun An unincorporated community in Howard County, Maryland.
- proper noun A minor city in Norman County, Minnesota, named after Garrett L. Thorpe.
- proper noun A city in Deuel County, South Dakota.
- proper noun A minor city in McDowell County, West Virginia, named after American judge and businessman Elbert Henry Gary.
- noun Synonym of Gary Glitter (“anus”). “He did him up the Gary, he did.”
Synonyms
Etymology
Medieval short form of Germanic compound names beginning with gari or geri ("spear"), such as Gerard, Garrett, Gerald, or Gerbert. Cognate with the Scottish and Irish name Garaidh. Sometimes also a short form of Gareth.
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.
Ellipsis of Gary Glitter.
Sources: Wiktionary — from the Wiktionary entry “Gary”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details