Declining since 1985, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Jeri since 1918
Babies named Jeri per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 13 |
| 1920s | 78 |
| 1930s | 502 |
| 1940s | 2,436 |
| 1950s | 7,334 |
| 1960s | 5,866 |
| 1970s | 3,244 |
| 1980s | 1,812 |
| 1990s | 833 |
| 2000s | 326 |
| 2010s | 136 |
| 2020s | 57 |
Meaning & origin
Jeri originated as a feminine diminutive of Jerome or Geraldine, and the name experienced its peak popularity in 1957, reflecting a broader mid-century American taste for nickname-style given names. Since around 1985, the name's usage has been declining, and in the most recent data from 2025, it ranked 11,932 with only about 1 in 229,610 newborns receiving the name. While Jeri was once more common, its current trajectory shows it has become quite rare. Notably, Jeri's top states are not recorded in the data, suggesting no particular regional concentration. The name remains a distinctive choice for parents seeking a short, familiar-sounding name with a 1950s vintage feel.
Jeri originated as a diminutive of Jerome (from Greek Hieronymos, 'sacred name') or Geraldine (feminine form of Gerald, from Germanic ger 'spear' + wald 'rule'). It became popular in the mid-20th century as a standalone name, especially in the United States, reflecting the trend of nicknames becoming given names.
Where Jeri 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.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Jeri
Names that share Jeri's style, for a brother or sister.
