Gerald
Gerald is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Ruler of the spear.
Origin and history
Gerald is a classic Germanic name derived from elements meaning spear and rule. While historically far more common for males, it was occasionally given to females in the early to mid-20th century in the United States. Today, it is extremely rare for girls and considered a vintage crossover name.
Popularity in the United States
2,385 babies in the United States have been named Gerald since 1880. It ranks #3613 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- CA (19.2 %)
- NY (18.3 %)
- TX (13 %)
- WI (10.6 %)
- LA (8.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 95 |
| 1920-1930 | 346 |
| 1930-1940 | 454 |
| 1940-1950 | 396 |
| 1950-1960 | 349 |
| 1960-1970 | 354 |
| 1970-1980 | 231 |
| 1980-1990 | 137 |
| 1990-2000 | 23 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Gerry, Jerry
Fun facts
- The name was introduced to Britain by the Normans and experienced a resurgence in popularity during the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Though predominantly a masculine name, thousands of modern American females were named Gerald, mostly during the mid-20th century.