Declining since 2019, #2,421 for boys today.
Popularity of Fitzgerald since 1919
Babies named Fitzgerald per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 25 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 17 |
| 1950s | 10 |
| 1960s | 381 |
| 1970s | 174 |
| 1980s | 160 |
| 1990s | 118 |
| 2000s | 71 |
| 2010s | 551 |
| 2020s | 429 |
Meaning & origin
Fitzgerald is a distinguished surname-turned-first-name with deep Norman and Irish roots. Its peak popularity in the United States came in 1964, when it was ranked 2421st overall. The name's trajectory has been falling since 2019, and in 2025 it was given to about 1 in 30,501 newborn boys, making it a rare but recognizable choice. Fitzgerald has seen the most use in Minnesota, which may reflect a preference for surname-style names in the Upper Midwest. The name carries a literary association with F. Scott Fitzgerald, though its usage as a first name predates his fame. While not currently trending upward, Fitzgerald retains a dignified, preppy appeal that fits alongside other surname-first names like Sullivan and Harrison.
Fitzgerald is a patronymic surname derived from the Anglo-Norman French prefix 'fitz-' (from Latin 'filius', meaning 'son of') combined with the Germanic given name Gerald, meaning 'spear rule'. The name was brought to Ireland by Norman settlers in the 12th century and became a prominent Irish surname, especially associated with the Earls of Desmond and Kildare. As a first name, it saw modest use in the United States beginning in the early 20th century.
Where Fitzgerald is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Fitz, Gerry
Variants: FitzGerald
Sibling names for Fitzgerald
Names that share Fitzgerald's style, for a brother or sister.
