N
NamyLab

Gerald

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Rule of the Spear"

From Germanic elements meaning spear and rule, introduced into English usage through Norman influence and medieval naming patterns.

Themes:spearrulegermanicmedieval
UniqueRareStrongPowerfulBold

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Gerald

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#1167Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#1167

Gerald was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-136

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Gerald Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Gerald.

10 ideas
Gerry
Nickname
Jerry
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gery
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gera
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gie
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gy
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go
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rald
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aldy
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ge
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al-ig-ZAN-der

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Baby Name Lists That Include Gerald

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Gerald, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

14 linked lists

Famous Geralds

  • G
    Gerald Ford
    38th President of the United States

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Gerald mean?
Gerald means "Rule of the Spear". From Germanic elements meaning spear and rule, introduced into English usage through Norman influence and medieval namin
What is the origin of Gerald?
Gerald is of Germanic origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Gerald?
According to the latest SSA data, Gerald is currently ranked #1167 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Gerald a boy name?
Gerald is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Gerald?
Popular nicknames for Gerald include Gerry, Jerry, gery, gera, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Gerald?
There are many names similar to Gerald in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGermanic
Syllables2
Length6 letters
US Rank#1167
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withG

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Gerald

Gerald has Germanic roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Germanic baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Gerald appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Names That Mean The Sun for Boys and Girls for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls and Names That Mean Miracle And Blessing for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Gerald pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Gerald beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.