Declining since 1985, #1,204 for boys today.
Popularity of Gerald since 1880
Babies named Gerald per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 223 |
| 1890s | 753 |
| 1900s | 2,014 |
| 1910s | 16,522 |
| 1920s | 44,520 |
| 1930s | 82,821 |
| 1940s | 103,342 |
| 1950s | 82,626 |
| 1960s | 55,305 |
| 1970s | 26,147 |
| 1980s | 15,507 |
| 1990s | 9,797 |
| 2000s | 5,146 |
| 2010s | 3,031 |
| 2020s | 1,212 |
Meaning & origin
Gerald is a masculine given name with deep Germanic roots, signifying a 'spear ruler.' After enduring centuries of moderate use, it surged in the United States during the first half of the 20th century, reaching its peak in 1939. Its popularity crested in the 1930s, an era that embraced sturdy, traditional names for boys. From that height, Gerald embarked on a long, gradual decline, a trajectory that became more pronounced starting around 1985. By 2025, the name had settled at rank 1204, with approximately 1 in 10,167 newborn boys receiving the name that year. Its current strongholds, including Louisiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, reflect pockets of regional loyalty to this classic choice.
Gerald is derived from the Germanic elements ger, meaning 'spear', and wald, meaning 'rule'. It was introduced to England by the Normans, replacing the Old English equivalent, and gained steady use through the medieval period. The name saw significant popularity in the United States during the early and mid-20th century, peaking in the 1930s.
Where Gerald is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Gerald” around the world
Where Gerald lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jerry, Gerry
Sibling names for Gerald
Names that share Gerald's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Dorothy, Marilyn, Betty, Shirley, Virginia, Charlene, Denise, Geraldine, Gloria, Janet, Jeanette, Carleen, Caroll, Charleen, Charlyn, Charmaine, Cherryl, Denice, Earlene, Jerilyn, Jerrilyn, Jolyn, Laureen, Marilynn, Sharlene, Sherrill, Arlinda, Arnita, Carletta, Darlena, Deneen, Denese, Donita, Erlene, Gearldine, Geralyn, Gerrie, Janean, Jeanene, Jeanice, Jeraldine, Jeralyn, Jerilynn, Julene, Karleen, Loralee, Loreen, Lorretta, Maralyn, Marilou, Marline, Marolyn, Merilyn, Merlene, Nadean, Pamelia, Raelene, Reginia, Rochell, Saralyn, Sharleen, Sharlyn, Sharolyn, Shirleen, Shirlene, Tonette, Valinda, Arlynn, Belynda, Berneta, Carlen, Carlette, Carliss, Carren, Charlyne, Charmin, Chrisann, Claudene, Danise, Darilyn, Darlynn, Delene, Deronda, Diannia, Donnette, Dorena, Dorenda, Genine, Geraldean, Geraldene, Geraldyne, Gerianne, Gerldine, Harolyn, Jackquline, Jacolyn, Janece, Janeice, Janith, Jeaneen, Jearldine, Jenean, Jeneane, Jerelyn, Jerlene, Jerline, Jerolyn, Jillene, Joelene, Joellyn, Joelyn, Jonda, Jonita, Juleen, Karene, Karilyn, Ladean, Lagina, Lauralyn, Lenda, Lenise, Linell, Lorenda, Lorraina, Lorriane, Maralee, Marlea, Marlinda, Marlynn, Merrilyn, Renette, Rolinda, Ronelle, Sharalyn, Sharene, Sharin, Sharlet, Sharline, Sharry, Sheralyn, Sheran, Sherlene, Sherrel, Shirelle, Shirlyn, Teryl, Valene, Vanetta, Arlisa, Beverlyn, Carlyne, Carolle, Carollynn, Charlane, Charlayne, Cherylyn, Chriselda, Chyrel, Danene, Daralyn, Darleene, Darolyn, Delise, Deniese, Dennice, Derenda, Dorraine, Drinda, Gearldean, Genella, Geralene, Geralynn, Gerlene, Gerline, Gloriann, Illene, Jenice, Jeraline, Jereline, Jerlyn, Jerrilynn, Jerrine, Jillaine, Jodeen, Jolaine, Jonalyn, Lindalee, Lynita, Marlaine, Marylene, Merryl, Philana, Raejean, Rogena, Rojean, Ronalda, Scherrie, Shearon, Shelene, Shellene, Sherilynn, Sherline, Sherolyn, Sherran, Sherrian, Sheryn, Shirlean, Taralee, Tonnette, Yeraldin, Chermaine, Darenda, Denece, Gennell, Gerilynn, Janace, Karolee, Nellene, Sharmain, Shirline, Ardel, Artina, Brendolyn, Brenetta, Cerita, Chalene, Charman, Cherylene, Darnice, Darrelyn, Delrae, Deneane, Deneice, Donalyn, Donnice, Doristine, Dorreen, Gailyn, Gearldene, Genean, Geneen, Geraldin, Gerardine, Gerene, Geryl, Glendia, Glennette, Helane, Helayne, Jackolyn, Janyth, Jenese, Jennene, Jeralynn, Jerelene, Jerianne, Jerilee, Jillane, Johnella, Joycelin, Judene, Kennetha, Lafreda, Lanise, Leanette, Leslyn, Loriene, Lorrinda, Maridee, Marvalene, Marvelyn, Milicent, Pauleen, Renarda, Rolene, Rondalyn, Scharlene, Shalona, Sharlena, Sharonlee, Sherald, Sherel, Sherleen, Sherlonda, Sherral, Shirla, Shyrl, Valoree, Vanette, Vaunda, Veralyn, Verleen, Vernestine, Wilmarie
Brothers: Harold, Donald, Ronald, Kenneth, Richard, Curtis, Dennis, Jerald, Jimmie, Randal, Roland, Terrence, Darel, Darrel, Jarrell, Jeryl, Randell, Rondal, Darold, Durrell, Duwayne, Garold, Girard, Jerrel, Jonell, Lyndell, Randel, Raynard, Sherron, Terance, Terryl, Wendall, Darral, Derral, Garnell, Gergory, Jarold, Jarrel, Jearl, Jeral, Jerard, Jerrald, Rondall, Rondel, Ronnald, Sherard, Sherod, Terral, Darald, Darol, Darroll, Deland, Derrill, Ethridge, Humbert, Ranell, Renald, Therron, Wendal, Carold, Darryel, Gaylin, Jerol, Jerral, Jerrol, Jerryl, Kirtis, Lyndol, Marrell, Ransome, Rogerick, Rondle, Stedman, Tillmon, Valgene
Names like Gerald
Names whose popularity has moved with Gerald's over the last 50 years.
