Girl · 49th of 9,204
Geraldine
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
212,021
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1930
Peak Popularity Year
5,471
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Geraldine 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
Geraldine is an Old German name meaning 'spear ruler'. It evolved from the Old German 'Gerwald' and has historical forms such as Gerald. The name gained prominence in the 19th century through literature. It carries traits of elegance and tradition, and it does not have a biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˌdʒɛr.əlˈdiːn/
Origin
Old German
Etymology
Geraldine is derived from the Old German name 'Gerwald', which is composed of the elements 'ger', meaning 'spear', and 'wald', meaning 'rule' or 'power'.
Meaning
spear ruler
Language Evolution
Gerwald, Gerald, Geraldine
Historical Usage
The name Geraldine gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly after it was used in literature and poetry, including works by poets like Lord Alfred Tennyson.
Variants & Derivatives
Gerald, Gerry, Geralda
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Geraldine is perceived as a classic and somewhat vintage name, often associated with elegance and tradition.
Famous People
Geraldine Page, Geraldine Ferraro, Geraldine McEwan
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 5,471 peak births in 1930
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Maine
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 12 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 | 2680th of 7545 | 151 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1453rd of 6773 | 409 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3019th of 7552 | 143 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7360th of 10718 | 23 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 11418th of 16616 | 22 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 81st of 9107 | 58,988 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 49th of 9204 | 90,676 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 148th of 12526 | 48,082 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 515th of 19264 | 6,057 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1122nd of 27321 | 2,391 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1413th of 35406 | 2,404 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1656th of 30306 | 1,580 |