Jeraldine

Meaning & origin

Jeraldine is a feminine elaboration of Gerald that first appeared in U.S. records in 1909. The name saw its highest usage during the 1930s, reaching a peak rank in 1939. However, its popularity declined steadily after the mid-20th century, and it has been out of the top 1000 since the 1960s. Since 2011, the trajectory has been consistently falling, and in 2025 the name was given to fewer than five newborns per million. Jeraldine's sound and style reflect the -ine ending fashion of the early 20th century, similar to Geraldine and Josephine.

Jeraldine is a feminine elaboration of the masculine name Gerald, which derives from the Germanic elements 'ger' (spear) and 'wald' (rule). The name Gerald was introduced to England by the Normans, and Jeraldine emerged as a distinct variant in the early 20th century, particularly in the United States. Its peak popularity occurred in 1939, reflecting a broader trend of feminine -ine endings during that era.