Gerald first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Gerald has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Gerald

A masculine name of Germanic origin meaning "ruler with the spear."

Popularity of Gerald by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Gerald is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Gerald being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 212 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Gerald.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 212 0
2022 203 0
2021 216 0
2020 229 0
2019 245 0
2018 242 0
2017 270 0
2016 284 0
2015 312 0
2014 280 0
2013 328 0
2012 346 0
2011 373 0
2010 348 0
2009 396 0
2008 415 0
2007 472 0
2006 465 0
2005 472 0
2004 552 0
2003 529 0
2002 556 0
2001 609 0
2000 680 0
1999 686 0
1998 671 0
1997 773 0
1996 822 0
1995 889 0
1994 954 0
1993 1,116 10
1992 1,174 8
1991 1,260 5
1990 1,451 0
1989 1,470 9
1988 1,403 9
1987 1,441 10
1986 1,455 10
1985 1,447 14
1984 1,443 13
1983 1,550 17
1982 1,718 22
1981 1,764 16
1980 1,818 17
1979 1,863 22
1978 1,889 19
1977 2,046 15
1976 2,140 19
1975 2,399 16
1974 2,419 20

The history of the first name Gerald

The name Gerald has its origins in the Germanic languages, deriving from the Old German name Gerwald. It is composed of two elements: "gair" meaning "spear" and "waldan" meaning "to rule" or "to wield." Together, the name signifies "one who rules with a spear" or "spear-ruler."

Gerald's earliest recorded use can be traced back to the 8th century, appearing in medieval Germanic chronicles and records. It gained popularity among the Franks and later spread throughout Western Europe, particularly in areas with Germanic cultural influences.

One of the earliest documented references to the name Gerald can be found in the Vita Sancti Germani, a biography of St. Germanus of Auxerre (c. 378-448), written in the 5th century. The text mentions a Frankish nobleman named Gerald who played a significant role in the saint's life.

In the Middle Ages, the name Gerald was particularly popular among the nobility and ruling classes. Notable historical figures who bore this name include Gerald of Aurillac (855-909), a French nobleman and founder of the Abbey of Aurillac; Gerald of Wales (c. 1146-1223), a medieval chronicler and Archbishop of Braga; and Gerald of Windsor (d. 1135), a prominent Anglo-Norman baron who served as Constable of Pembroke Castle.

During the Renaissance period, the name Gerald gained further prominence. Gerald Fitzgerald, 9th Earl of Kildare (c. 1487-1534), was an influential Irish nobleman and Lord Deputy of Ireland. In the literary world, Gerald de Barri (c. 1146-1223), also known as Giraldus Cambrensis, was a renowned medieval scholar and author who wrote extensively on topics such as geography, history, and ecclesiastical matters.

In more recent times, notable figures with the name Gerald include Gerald Ford (1913-2006), the 38th President of the United States; Gerald Durrell (1925-1995), a British naturalist, zookeeper, and author; and Gerald Stern (1925-2022), an American poet and essayist who served as the Poet Laureate of New Jersey.

While the name Gerald has Germanic roots, it has been adopted and used across various cultures and regions throughout history, reflecting its enduring appeal and the diverse backgrounds of those who have borne this name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Gerald was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gerald, please contact us.

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"Gerald first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on December 4, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/gerald-meaning-and-history/.

"Gerald first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/gerald-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 4 December, 2024

Gerald first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/gerald-meaning-and-history/.

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