MallowbyNames

Geri

JERR-ee · of uncertain origin; possibly a variant of Gerry or a short form of Geraldine, meaning 'rule of the spear'.

Peak popularity
1958
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Geri since 1918

Babies named Geri per year in U.S. Social Security records.

123245368192019602000Most births 1958Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1910s5
1920s32
1930s226
1940s834
1950s2,280
1960s2,466
1970s1,081
1980s688
1990s266
2000s115
2010s28
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Geri is a name that has held a consistent, low-profile presence in the United States. First recorded in 1918, it saw its peak popularity in 1958, aligning with the mid-century trend for short, upbeat names ending in 'ie' or 'y'. It has remained stable since then, never entering the top 1,000 in recent decades. Because it does not appear in the Social Security data's top 1,000 for the latest year, its one-in-N popularity cannot be calculated. The name's trajectory is flat, reflecting steady but rare usage. Its top states are not reported due to insufficient data, suggesting it is not concentrated in any particular region. Geri remains a recognizable yet uncommon choice, often associated with the stylish 'sweetheart' names of the 1950s.

Geri is typically a diminutive or variant of Geraldine or Gerard, both derived from Germanic elements meaning 'spear rule'. As an independent name, it rose in the mid-20th century, likely influenced by the popularity of Geraldine and the similar-sounding Terry or Jerry. It has been used steadily but never reached high ranks on the U.S. charts.

Where Geri is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few births

Nicknames & variants

Variants: Gerry, Jerry, Geri

Sibling names for Geri

Names that share Geri's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Terri, Sherri, Lori, Cindy, Debbie

Brothers: Jerry, Larry, Terry, Barry, Gary

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

G is for Geri, our favorite little girl.

G is for Geri…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Geri's letter becomes Geri's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Geri's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Geri mean?
The meaning of Geri is uncertain. It is often considered a short form of Geraldine, which means 'spear ruler', but it may also be a variant of Gerry or an independent coinage.
Is Geri a popular name?
Geri has never been a highly popular name in the United States. Its peak year was 1958, but it did not rank among the top 1,000 names in recent years.
Is Geri a boy or girl name?
Geri is predominantly used for girls, though it can be a nickname for boys named Gerald or Gerard.