The nameGerard
Gerard is a Germanic name meaning "brave with the spear".
- Boy's name
- Germanic
- Feast day
Meaning
Gerard comes from the Germanic ger, "spear", and hard, "brave, strong".
Origin
Germanic, through Norman French.
History
Saint Gerard Majella is the patron of expectant mothers. In the United States Gerard reached 177th in 1954.
Did you know?
- Most poems by Gerard Manley Hopkins were only published in 1918, nearly thirty years after his death.
- Gerard Piqué won the World Cup with Spain in 2010.
Famous people named Gerard
- Gerard Butler, actor
- Gerard Manley Hopkins, poet
- Gerard Piqué, footballer
- Gérard Depardieu, actor
Popularity of the name Gerard
Gerard in the United States
Gerard was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 14,235 births over the decade, 24% of all recorded babies named Gerard. Its rise began around 1913, and it peaked in 1956. Half of all babies named Gerard in the United States were born before 1955, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 123 births a year on average, against 153 in the five years before.
Gerard in the United Kingdom
Gerard was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 497 births over the decade, 38% of all recorded babies named Gerard. Half of all babies named Gerard in the United Kingdom were born before 2008, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 26 births a year on average, against 37 in the five years before.
Gerard in Ireland
Gerard in France
Sibling names for Gerard
Names from the same generation as Gerard, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Gerard? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Gerard with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Gerard side by side with the name of your choice.
Gerard in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gerard mean?
Gerard comes from the Germanic ger, "spear", and hard, "brave, strong".
What is the origin of the name Gerard?
Germanic, through Norman French.
Is Gerard a girl's or a boy's name?
Gerard is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Gerard?
In 2024, Gerard was the 1531st most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 115 births.
What are good sibling names for Gerard?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Charlene, Emeline, Ema and Linnea for a sister, Guy, Konrad, Bernard and Ervin for a brother.
Who are famous people named Gerard?
Gerard Butler, actor; Gerard Manley Hopkins, poet; Gerard Piqué, footballer; Gérard Depardieu, actor.