Gerald: Meaning, Popularity, Origin of Baby Name Gerald | Boys
Origin of the name Gerald:
Derived from the Germanic Gerward, a compound name composed from the elements ger (a spear) and wald (rule): hence, "spear ruler, to rule with a spear." The name was introduced by the Normans, and though it was subsequently used by the English, it was never as common as Gerard, a name it was often confused with. The name died out in England by the end of the 13th century but was kept by the Irish. Toward the end of the 19th century, the name Gerald was reintroduced, and it has now become more popular than the enduring Gerard.
From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman. Buy the book
Looking for more name information? Get Name MatchMaker & more Expert name-finding tools!
NameVoyager
US Popularity of Gerald Over Time
Sister & Brother Names
Know a Gerald? What are his siblings named?
Contribute your knowledge to the name Gerald
- Comments and insights on the name Gerald: | Edit
- Share what you know!
- Personal experiences with the name Gerald: | Edit
- Share what you know!
- Nicknames for Gerald: | Edit
Gerry, Jerry
- Meanings and history of the name Gerald: | Edit
- Share what you know!
- Famous real-life people named Gerald: | Edit
Gerald R. Ford, 38th U.S. President
Gerald "Gerry" Marsden, lead singer of Gerry and the Pacemakers, Merseyside rock band
Gerald "Gerry" Rafferty, Scottish singer
Gerald Durrell, British naturalist, zookeeper, conservationist, author and television presenter
Gerald Scarfe, English cartoonist, illustrator, and album designer
There are at least four saints named Gerald, including Gerald of Aurillac, Gerald of Mayo, Gerald of Toul, and Gerald of Braga- Gerald in song, story & screen: | Edit
Gerald O'Hara, Scarlett's father in "Gone with the Wind"
Gerald from Hey Arnold
Smart?
Sexy?
Friendly?
Creative?
Strong?
Young?
Sophisticated?
NameMapper
Current Popularity of Gerald by State
Global Popularity of the Name Gerald
- #603 in United States
