Geraldine
Geraldine is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Ruler with a spear.
Origin and history
Geraldine is traditionally a feminine name of Germanic origin, derived from the male name Gerald, meaning ruler with a spear. Although predominantly used for females, historical U.S. records show occasional male usage. It was highly popular in the early-to-mid 20th century but is now rarely given to newborns.
Popularity in the United States
748 babies in the United States have been named Geraldine since 1880. It ranks #3928 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- CA (25 %)
- NC (25 %)
- NY (25 %)
- PA (25 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 40 |
| 1920-1930 | 151 |
| 1930-1940 | 225 |
| 1940-1950 | 203 |
| 1950-1960 | 72 |
| 1960-1970 | 35 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 22 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Gerry, Gerri, Dena, Deena
Fun facts
- The name Geraldine was coined by the 16th-century poet Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, in his sonnets written for Lady Elizabeth Fitzgerald.
- While predominantly female, U.S. Social Security records indicate over 700 males were given the name Geraldine in the 20th century.