Gerard
Gerard is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Brave with a spear or hardy spearman.
Origin and history
Gerard is a masculine given name of ancient Germanic origin, derived from elements meaning spear and brave or hardy. Introduced to England by the Normans, it gained widespread European usage over the centuries. In the United States, it enjoyed steady popularity during the mid-twentieth century and remains a familiar classical choice.
Popularity in the United States
58,820 babies in the United States have been named Gerard since 1880. It ranks #453 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1262.
States where it is most popular
- NY (31.6 %)
- MA (10.5 %)
- PA (9.1 %)
- NJ (9 %)
- CA (4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 14 |
| 1890-1900 | 61 |
| 1900-1910 | 214 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,676 |
| 1920-1930 | 5,490 |
| 1930-1940 | 5,303 |
| 1940-1950 | 8,128 |
| 1950-1960 | 14,216 |
| 1960-1970 | 9,337 |
| 1970-1980 | 4,013 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,303 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,383 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,340 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,634 |
| 2020-2029 | 708 |
Famous people named Gerard
- Gerard Butler: Actor, Producer
- Gerard Way: Musician, Singer
- Gerard Piqué: Athlete, Entrepreneur
Nicknames
Gerry, Jerry
Fun facts
- The name was brought to Britain by the Normans after the 1066 invasion, replacing older Anglo-Saxon variants.
- Saint Gerard Majella is celebrated worldwide as the patron saint of mothers, unborn children, and childbirth.