The nameGerald

Gerald is a Germanic name meaning "ruler with the spear". It was a top 20 American name in the 1930s.

Meaning

Gerald comes from the Germanic ger, "spear", and wald, "rule".

Origin

Germanic, through Norman French.

History

The Normans brought Gerald to England and Ireland. In the United States it reached 19th place in 1936. Gerald Ford was the 38th president.

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Famous people named Gerald

Popularity of the name Gerald

Gerald in the United States

1167thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024
1942peak year (11,520 births)
451,178babies named Gerald in the United States since 1880
05,76011,520 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Gerald was most popular in the United States in the 1940s, with 103,738 births over the decade, 23% of all recorded babies named Gerald. Its rise began around 1914, and it peaked in 1942. Half of all babies named Gerald in the United States were born before 1947, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 209 births a year on average, against 271 in the five years before.

Gerald in Ireland

1964peak year (94 births)
1,537babies named Gerald in Ireland since 1964
04794 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Gerald was most popular in Ireland in the 1970s, with 572 births over the decade, 37% of all recorded babies named Gerald. Half of all babies named Gerald in Ireland were born before 1975, so it is mostly a parents' generation name.

Gerald in France

1973peak year (1,605 births)
32,135babies named Gerald in France since 1900
08031,605 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Gerald in Austria

1141stmost popular boys' name in Austria in 2025
1985peak year (356 births)
3,538babies named Gerald in Austria since 1984
0178356 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Gerald

Names from the same generation as Gerald, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Gerald? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Gerald with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Gerald side by side with the name of your choice.

Gerald in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Gerald mean?

Gerald comes from the Germanic ger, "spear", and wald, "rule".

What is the origin of the name Gerald?

Germanic, through Norman French.

Is Gerald a girl's or a boy's name?

Gerald is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Gerald?

In 2024, Gerald was the 1167th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 178 births.

What are the variants of the name Gerald?

Variants and related names of Gerald include Geraldine.

What are good sibling names for Gerald?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Linda, Carla, Alisha and Yvette for a sister, Carl, Gilbert, Karl and Ernest for a brother.

Who are famous people named Gerald?

Gerald Ford, president of the United States; Gerald Durrell, naturalist; Gerald Scarfe, cartoonist.