Holding steady.
Popularity of Geral since 1915
Babies named Geral per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1947, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Geral's real moment was 1940.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 | 0 |
| 1920s | 29 | 55 |
| 1930s | 27 | 31 |
| 1940s | 41 | 62 |
| 1950s | 36 | 32 |
| 1960s | 10 | 21 |
| 1970s | 0 | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 | 11 |
| 1990s | 0 | 7 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Geral is an extremely rare name in U.S. records, never entering the Social Security Top 1000. Its first recorded year is 1920, and while it saw a modest peak in 1940, usage has since dwindled to essentially zero. The name is most likely a variant of Gerald, though its spelling and usage as an independent name are undocumented. With no top states linked to it, Geral remains a true outlier, chosen by only a handful of families each year, if any. Its trajectory is flat, and it has not experienced any revival. This rarity makes it a distinctive choice for parents seeking an obscure name with familiar roots.
Geral is likely a variant or respelling of Gerald, which derives from the Germanic elements 'ger' (spear) and 'wald' (rule). It emerged in the early 20th century, possibly as a simplified spelling. However, its usage has been rare, with no clear etymological record independent of Gerald.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jerry
Variants: Gerald
Sibling names for Geral
Names that share Geral's style, for a brother or sister.
