Boy · 23rd of 6,773
Gerald
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
451,178
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1942
Peak Popularity Year
11,520
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Gerald stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Gerald has its roots in Old German, meaning 'ruler with a spear'. It evolved through historical forms such as Gerwald and Geraldus. The name reflects traits of leadership and strength, and it does not have a specific biblical relevance. Gerald gained popularity during the Middle Ages and continues to be recognized today, associated with notable figures.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒɛr.əld/
Origin
Old German
Etymology
The name Gerald comes from the Old German elements 'ger', meaning 'spear', and 'wald', meaning 'rule' or 'power'. Thus, it can be interpreted as 'ruler with a spear'.
Meaning
ruler with a spear
Language Evolution
Gerwald, Geraldus, Gerald
Historical Usage
Gerald gained popularity in the Middle Ages, especially in England and Ireland, and has remained in use through the centuries.
Variants & Derivatives
Gerry, Geraldo, Geral, Ger
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Gerald is perceived as a classic and somewhat vintage name, often associated with wisdom and tradition.
Famous People
Gerald Ford, Geraldine Ferraro, Gerald McRaney, Geraldine Page
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 11,520 peak births in 1942
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in North Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 5 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 60th of 7545 | 51,447 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 23rd of 6773 | 157,178 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 46th of 7552 | 154,511 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 89th of 10718 | 51,817 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 215th of 16616 | 21,357 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 485th of 24088 | 8,343 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 884th of 23106 | 3,007 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1878th of 9107 | 352 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1123rd of 9204 | 795 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1793rd of 12526 | 670 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2767th of 19264 | 425 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 7866th of 27321 | 143 |