Boy · 20th of 6,773
Jerry
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
632,139
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1947
Peak Popularity Year
19,260
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jerry 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
Jerry is an English name commonly viewed as a diminutive of Gerald and has roots in Germanic languages. Its meaning translates to 'spear ruler'. The name has evolved from historical forms like Gerald and Gerhard, gaining popularity in the mid-20th century. It is often associated with friendly and familiar traits and has no biblical relevance. Notable figures named Jerry include comedians, musicians, and athletes.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒɛri/
Origin
English
Etymology
Jerry is often derived as a diminutive of the name Gerald, which comes from the Germanic elements 'ger' meaning 'spear' and 'wald' meaning 'rule'. It can also be a diminutive of names like Jerome.
Meaning
spear ruler
Language Evolution
Gerald (Old English), Gerhard (Old High German), Hieronymus (Greek), Jerry (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Jerry gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 20th century as a standalone name and has been used widely since the mid-1900s.
Variants & Derivatives
Gerald, Gerry, Jer, Jerome
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Jerry is perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with warmth and familiarity.
Famous People
Jerry Seinfeld - American comedian and actor, Jerry Garcia - American musician and songwriter, Jerry Rice - American football player
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 19,260 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Arkansas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 13 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 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 133rd of 7545 | 19,787 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 20th of 6773 | 184,481 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 30th of 7552 | 259,194 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 56th of 10718 | 91,496 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 140th of 16616 | 34,987 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 302nd of 24088 | 16,890 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 604th of 23106 | 5,539 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 603rd of 9107 | 2,512 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 307th of 9204 | 7,968 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 573rd of 12526 | 4,952 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1335th of 19264 | 1,318 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 3497th of 27321 | 457 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 14799th of 35406 | 79 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 28476th of 30306 | 6 |