Kerrie is a feminine given name primarily used in English-speaking countries. It is a variant spelling of Kerry, which itself derives from the Irish county name Ciarraí, meaning "Ciar's people." The root Ciar comes from the Old Irish word ciar, meaning "black" or "black-haired." In Irish legend, Ciar was a son of Fergus mac Róich and Queen Medb, and he was the ancestor of the Ciarraige tribe, after whom County Kerry is named.Usage and SpreadThe name Kerrie, along with other variant forms such as Keri and Kerri, became popular in English-speaking countries in the mid-20th century, peaking in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s. Like many Irish-origin names, it was adopted outside of Ireland, particularly in Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.Notable BearersSeveral notable women bear the name Kerrie, spanning various fields. In sports, Kerrie Cartwright (born 1992) is a Bahamian tennis player, and Kerrie Meares (born 1982) is an Australian cyclist. Australian swimmers include Kerrie Engel (born 1966). In the arts, Kerrie Biddell (1974–2014) was an Australian singer, while Kerrie Anne Greenland (born 1989) is an Australian actress and singer. Others include English actress Kerrie Hayes (born 1986), Canadian actress Kerrie Keane (born 1948), Australian statistician Kerrie Mengersen (born 1962), and Australian politician Kerrie Mather (born 1948). Kerrie Lester (1953–2016) was an Australian artist, and Kerrie Polines contributed to styling awards.Origin: IrishMeaning: Feminine variant of Kerry, meaning "Ciar's people" or, ultimately, "black"Type: Feminine given nameVariant forms: Kerri, Keri, Kerry