Gerald
Gerald: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈd͡ʒɛɹəld/
Meaning and origin of Gerald
Root meaning: “spear”
- A male given name from the Germanic languages.
Etymology
From Old French, ultimately from Frankish *gaiʀ (“spear”) + *wald (“might, power”). The name was brought to England by the Normans. It survived in Ireland, and was revived in the 19th century.
How popular is Gerald?
Since 1880, 2,385 girls and 448,966 boys in the U.S. have been named Gerald (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #937 in 1931. Its highest rank for boys was #19 in 1936. In 2025, 168 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Gerald
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic boy names
Sibling name ideas for Gerald
Sister and brother names that share Gerald's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Gerald FAQ
What does the name Gerald mean?
Gerald traces back to a root meaning "spear". A male given name from the Germanic languages. From Old French, ultimately from Frankish *gaiʀ (“spear”) + *wald (“might, power”). The name was brought to England by the Normans. It survived in Ireland, and was revived in the 19th century.
What is the origin of the name Gerald?
Gerald is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Gerald?
Since 1880, 2,385 girls and 448,966 boys in the U.S. have been named Gerald (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #937 in 1931. Its highest rank for boys was #19 in 1936. In 2025, 168 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Gerald a boy or girl name?
Gerald is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 2,385 girls and 448,966 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.