Geri
Geri is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Spear ruler or rule of the spear.
Origin and history
Geri originated as a diminutive of names like Geraldine or Gerald, tracing back to Germanic roots meaning spear or ruler. It gained popularity in the mid-20th century as an independent given name for females in the United States. Today, it is an uncommon classic name that often serves as a friendly short form.
Popularity in the United States
8,021 babies in the United States have been named Geri since 1880. It ranks #1869 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- CA (18.2 %)
- IL (12.4 %)
- NY (11.2 %)
- MI (7.6 %)
- OH (6.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 5 |
| 1920-1930 | 32 |
| 1930-1940 | 226 |
| 1940-1950 | 834 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,280 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,466 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,081 |
| 1980-1990 | 688 |
| 1990-2000 | 266 |
| 2000-2010 | 115 |
| 2010-2019 | 28 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Geri
- Geri Halliwell: Singer, Songwriter
- Geri Jewell: Actress, Comedian
- Geri Allen: Jazz Pianist, Composer
Fun facts
- Geri developed as a casual short form for French and Germanic names like Geraldine and Gerald before standing alone.
- The name saw its peak usage in the United States during the mid-20th century, particularly from the 1940s through the 1960s.