Kerry Moriarty

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Kerry Moriarty — Celtic
48K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Kerry Moriarty is a name that combines Celtic origins. The first name Kerry is a feminine given name of Celtic origin. Kerry or Kerri is a unisex English language given name of Gaelic (Irish) origin. In its original form Ciarraighe (Ciarraí), it denoted the kingdom of Ciar (ciar raighe), Ciar being the son of Fergus mac Róich, who gave his name to County Kerry. Ciarraighe was thus the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in the area of what is now County Kerry. However, branches of the Ciarraighe were all over Ireland: Ciarraige Luachra - in what is now north County Kerry and Sliabh Luachra, both named after them. Ciarraige Cuirche - due south of what is now Cork City, in Munster. The surname Moriarty: Moriarty is an Irish surname originating in County Kerry. It represents an anglicisation of Ó Muircheartaigh ([oː ˈmˠɪɾʲɪçaɾˠt̪ˠiː]), meaning "descendant of Muircheartach". The latter is a personal name meaning "skilled navigator" (from muir, "sea", and ceardach, "skilled"). Using documentary evidence, flavoured by legend, researchers have isolated historical data using books by O'Hart, McLysaght and O'Brien, the Four Masters, baptismals, parish records, and ancient land grants. Kerry is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 48K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Kerry reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Kerry

Celtic

Kerry or Kerri is a unisex English language given name of Gaelic (Irish) origin. In its original form Ciarraighe (Ciarraí), it denoted the kingdom of Ciar (ciar raighe), Ciar being the son of Fergus mac Róich, who gave his name to County Kerry. Ciarraighe was thus the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in the area of what is now County Kerry. However, branches of the Ciarraighe were all over Ireland: Ciarraige Luachra - in what is now north County Kerry and Sliabh Luachra, both named after them. Ciarraige Cuirche - due south of what is now Cork City, in Munster.

Surname: Moriarty

Irish

Moriarty is an Irish surname originating in County Kerry. It represents an anglicisation of Ó Muircheartaigh ([oː ˈmˠɪɾʲɪçaɾˠt̪ˠiː]), meaning "descendant of Muircheartach". The latter is a personal name meaning "skilled navigator" (from muir, "sea", and ceardach, "skilled"). Using documentary evidence, flavoured by legend, researchers have isolated historical data using books by O'Hart, McLysaght and O'Brien, the Four Masters, baptismals, parish records, and ancient land grants.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Kerry is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 29%
Australia 11%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Kerry by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Kerry Moriarty:

7
Expression Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

3
Soul Urge Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

4
Personality Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Kerry?
The first name Kerry originates from Celtic. Kerry or Kerri is a unisex English language given name of Gaelic (Irish) origin. In its original form Ciarraighe (Ciarraí), it denoted the kingdom of Ciar (ciar raighe), Ciar being the son of Fergus mac Róich, who gave his name to County Kerry. Ciarraighe was thus the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in the area of what is now County Kerry. However, branches of the Ciarraighe were all over Ireland: Ciarraige Luachra - in what is now north County Kerry and Sliabh Luachra, both named after them. Ciarraige Cuirche - due south of what is now Cork City, in Munster.
When was Kerry most popular?
The name Kerry reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Moriarty?
The surname Moriarty originates from Irish. Moriarty is an Irish surname originating in County Kerry. It represents an anglicisation of Ó Muircheartaigh ([oː ˈmˠɪɾʲɪçaɾˠt̪ˠiː]), meaning "descendant of Muircheartach". The latter is a personal name meaning "skilled navigator" (from muir, "sea", and ceardach, "skilled"). Using documentary evidence, flavoured by legend, researchers have isolated historical data using books by O'Hart, McLysaght and O'Brien, the Four Masters, baptismals, parish records, and ancient land grants.
What are the origins of the name Kerry Moriarty?
The name Kerry Moriarty combines two different traditions: the first name Kerry has Celtic roots, while the surname Moriarty originates from Irish.
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