Declining since 1989, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Geraldo since 1948
Babies named Geraldo per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 81 |
| 1960s | 242 |
| 1970s | 413 |
| 1980s | 624 |
| 1990s | 567 |
| 2000s | 287 |
| 2010s | 129 |
| 2020s | 47 |
Meaning & origin
Geraldo is the Portuguese and Spanish form of Gerald, ultimately derived from Germanic elements meaning 'spear' and 'rule.' The name first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1948, reflecting mid-century immigration patterns from Latin America and Portugal. It achieved its highest rank of 12,008 in 1988, likely influenced by media figures such as Geraldo Rivera. Since then, its popularity has steadily declined, falling since 1989 and becoming increasingly rare. In 2025, approximately 1 in 341,615 newborn boys received the name. Although no state recorded it among its top names that year, Geraldo remains a recognizable classic in Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking communities. Its trajectory suggests a name that once enjoyed modest but consistent use and is now in its quietest phase.
Geraldo is the Portuguese and Spanish form of Gerald, derived from the Germanic elements 'ger' (spear) and 'wald' (rule). The name was brought to the Iberian Peninsula by the Visigoths and has been used in Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries since the Middle Ages. It remains common in Brazil and Portugal.
Sibling names for Geraldo
Names that share Geraldo's style, for a brother or sister.
