Geron
Greek name meaning "old man" or "elder".
Name Census estimates that about 357 living Americans carry the first name Geron. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Geron today is around 38 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Geron births was 1997 (17 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Geron. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
357
~ 1 in 960,096 Americans
Peak year
1997
17 babies that year
Average age
38
years old
2015 SSA rank
#11,149
Tracked since 1956
Popularity
Geron: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Geron from the 1950s through to the 2010s, spanning 7 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 113 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Geron by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Geron during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Geron
The name Geron originates from the Greek language and has its roots in the word "geron," which means "old man" or "elder." This name can be traced back to ancient Greece, where it was commonly used to refer to revered elders or wise men in society.
The earliest recorded use of the name Geron can be found in ancient Greek literature and texts, such as the works of Homer and Plutarch. In these writings, the term "geron" was often used to describe respected elders who held positions of authority and wisdom within their communities.
One of the most notable historical figures with the name Geron was Geron of Syracuse, a prominent Greek mathematician and engineer who lived in the 5th century BC. He is credited with the invention of several mechanical devices, including the first steam engine and a water clock.
Another significant figure bearing the name Geron was Saint Geron, a 5th-century Christian monk and ascetic who lived in Palestine. He is revered as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church and is known for his profound spirituality and devotion to the monastic life.
In the realm of literature, Geron was the name of a character in the ancient Greek play "The Frogs" by Aristophanes. This character was portrayed as an elderly and wise figure who played a significant role in the satirical comedy.
During the Byzantine Empire, the name Geron was often used to refer to respected elders within the monastic community. It was a title bestowed upon those who had attained a high level of spiritual wisdom and were revered as mentors and guides.
Another notable figure with the name Geron was Geron Likolendenos, a 13th-century Byzantine scholar and theologian. He was known for his extensive knowledge of philosophy and his contributions to the intellectual discourse of his time.
Throughout history, the name Geron has been associated with wisdom, age, and respect, reflecting the cultural significance of revering elders and those who possess deep knowledge and experience.
People
Geron + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Geron as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with G
Other first names starting with G with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Geron: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Geron?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 357 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Geron going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 960,096 US residents.
Is Geron a common name?
We classify Geron as "Very Rare". It ranks above 81.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 377 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Geron most popular?
The single biggest year for Geron was 1997, when 17 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Geron is about 38 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Geron a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Geron in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.