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Gerald as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Gerald

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The baby name Gerald is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈdʒɛr.əld/ (JERR-əld).

Gerald is Germanic in Origin.

Gender: Male
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Germanic
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒɛr.əld/ (JERR-əld)

What is the meaning of the name Gerald ?

The baby name Gerald is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈdʒɛr.əld/ (JERR-əld).

Gerald is Germanic in Origin.

Gerald stems from the Old Germanic elements ger ("spear") and wald ("rule, power"), yielding the sense "spear-ruler" or "he who rules by the spear." The name entered medieval Latin as Geraldus and filtered into vernaculars through Norman French. Cognate with Gerard, it names a broad family of forms across Europe and has long-standing noble associations through warrior-leader imagery inherent in its components.

Brought to Britain by the Normans, Gerald took strong root in Ireland with the Anglo-Norman FitzGeralds and reappeared in wider English use during the 19th-century revival of medieval names, peaking in the mid-20th century (e.g., U.S. President Gerald Ford). Variants and relatives include Jerald, Jerrold, and Gerard; French Gérald/Géraud; Spanish/Portuguese Geraldo; Irish Gearalt/Gearailt; and diminutives Gerry and Jerry. Feminine form Geraldine and the surname-derived given Garrett reflect the same Germanic heritage.

Gerald has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Gerald

Gerald Ford Politician · Born 1913 · United States Gerald Ford served as the 38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977, taking office after the resignation of Richard Nixon. He is most famous for pardoning Nixon, which was a controversial decision at the time. Before his presidency, Ford was the Vice President and a long-serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Gerry Mulligan Musician · Born 1927 · United States Gerald Joseph Mulligan, known as Gerry Mulligan, was an American jazz musician most famous as a leading baritone saxophonist in cool jazz. He was also a skilled composer and arranger who worked with major artists like Miles Davis and Stan Kenton, and he is especially associated with pieces like “Jeru,” “Walkin’ Shoes,” and “Bernie’s Tune.” Gerald McRaney Actor · Born 1947 · United States Gerald McRaney is an American actor best known for starring in TV shows like Simon & Simon, Major Dad, and House of Cards. He has also appeared in Promised Land and has had a long career in television and film.
Gerald Wilson Musician · Born 1918 · United States Gerald Wilson was an American jazz trumpeter and big band leader best known for his work as a composer and arranger. Born in Mississippi in 1918, he built a major career in Los Angeles from the early 1940s and became known for acclaimed albums such as You Better Believe It!, Moment of Truth, and State Street Sweet. Gerald R. Molen Actor · Born 1935 · United States Gerald R. Molen is best known as a film producer, particularly for his work on the blockbuster movies Jurassic Park and Schindler's List. He has been involved in the film industry for decades, contributing to some of the most memorable films of the late 20th century. Gerald Mohr Actor · Born 1914 · United States Gerald Mohr was an American actor best known for his role as Raymond Chandler's private detective Philip Marlowe in the radio series 'The Adventures of Philip Marlowe'. He also appeared in films like 'Gilda' and 'Detective Story'.

Gerald – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Boys 2023 #1 — 807
BI 0 #12 1 425
HN 0 #22 1 704
HT Boys 0 #26 9 903
KR Boys 0 #27 1 897
NA 0 #29 5 2,537
BN 0 #30 3 2,297
ID 0 #39 1 2,238
MT 0 #39 5 1,767
Austria Boys 0 #41 3,026 2,180
BI Boys 0 #44 1 917
Austria Boys 1995 #48 117 60
AL 0 #50 26 2,372
PH 0 #51 46 5,607
MO 0 #52 1 2,706
PR 0 #54 2 1,497
PH Boys 0 #63 549 11,440
Austria 0 #65 225 850
LU 0 #65 2 2,830
AL Boys 0 #75 374 5,122
AF 0 #76 1 1,883
JP 0 #76 2 4,057
CN 0 #84 3 3,857
JM 0 #85 9 3,714
QA 0 #98 9 7,011
TW 0 #102 2 4,523
BN Boys 0 #116 18 6,332
OM 0 #116 6 6,215
CR Boys 0 #117 1,032 10,188
BW Boys 0 #118 32 4,685
KW 0 #118 4 5,216
EC 0 #121 1 2,502
EE Boys 0 #124 2 2,087
CY Boys 0 #130 2 3,473
MU 0 #131 7 3,613
PA 0 #131 8 3,797
ID Boys 0 #132 4 4,130
GR 0 #135 1 3,911
CR 0 #147 12 5,526
MT Boys 0 #147 30 4,064
BW Girls 0 #151 1 4,216
MT Girls 0 #153 1 3,773
PR Boys 0 #156 19 2,508
AE 0 #157 21 10,220
SG 0 #171 102 11,010
HU Boys 0 #173 2 3,954
UY 0 #182 1 2,477
CZ 0 #186 1 3,154
NA Boys 0 #186 50 6,830
JM Boys 0 #187 87 6,876
MO Boys 0 #187 37 5,842
AR 0 #193 1 2,915
RU 0 #194 1 3,641
ZA Boys 0 #198 3,192 25,619
SG Boys 0 #202 822 17,960
DK 0 #206 1 5,198
SI Boys 0 #211 1 3,402
LU Boys 0 #213 8 4,970
TW Boys 0 #218 24 7,111
BG Boys 0 #219 2 3,850
GH 0 #221 23 5,396
PS 0 #222 5 5,692
AL Girls 0 #226 2 4,141
NG 0 #227 38 5,926
EC Boys 0 #230 10 3,322
BD 0 #241 1 5,992
GR Boys 0 #241 27 6,912
GH Boys 0 #242 106 8,138
Germany Boys 0 #243 1,689 5,697
AO Boys 0 #248 2 5,568
GR Girls 0 #249 1 6,293
PT 0 #250 1 4,161
HR Boys 0 #257 3 3,997
EC Girls 0 #258 1 3,650
ZA 0 #260 190 14,421
CL Boys 0 #261 982 13,390
SA 0 #268 28 10,560
CN Boys 0 #271 49 9,639
IL 0 #276 7 6,291
JM Girls 0 #278 1 7,507
PA Boys 0 #280 241 9,305
MU Boys 0 #283 75 8,477
MY 0 #288 43 12,352
KZ Boys 0 #289 8 6,578
Canada Boys 2024 #291 16 2,588
PE 0 #293 18 6,350
JP Boys 0 #295 9 7,909
CZ Boys 0 #302 4 6,530
DK Boys 0 #313 13 7,401
HK 0 #328 21 8,483
GH Girls 0 #333 5 6,973
GT 0 #335 4 5,948
PL Boys 0 #335 6 6,459
QA Girls 0 #338 6 15,378
JO Girls 0 #339 1 7,570
NL 0 #341 51 2,481
Germany 0 #345 95 2,542
CL 0 #362 50 6,867
MU Girls 0 #362 1 8,539
CM Boys 0 #366 203 12,054
PH Girls 0 #373 18 13,098
PT Boys 0 #375 7 7,951
NG Boys 0 #376 1,071 16,906
UY Boys 0 #378 22 5,922
JO Boys 0 #385 5 7,057
YE 0 #395 4 8,639
BO 0 #402 7 6,868
Finland Boys 0 #406 22 2,041
NL Boys 0 #410 786 5,873
France Boys 2011 #413 3 2,819
OM Girls 0 #423 2 15,987
HK Boys 0 #432 96 12,905
MX 0 #439 7 8,339
PE Boys 0 #440 650 14,506
Spain 0 #441 12 2,326
GT Boys 0 #450 25 7,625
AR Boys 0 #457 11 7,628
SD Boys 0 #459 8 10,523
CO 0 #470 11 7,768
RU Boys 0 #490 16 12,621
KW Girls 0 #492 24 19,177
BO Boys 0 #497 96 9,244
BH 0 #499 55 17,937
PS Boys 0 #512 37 10,655
PA Girls 0 #513 6 9,861
RU Girls 0 #521 3 11,913
CM Girls 0 #527 14 11,671
QA Boys 0 #545 163 18,093
LY 0 #558 2 12,703
IR Boys 0 #561 5 10,162
CR Girls 0 #567 7 11,342
IL Boys 0 #570 38 10,983
AE Girls 0 #590 8 20,968
BD Boys 0 #604 2 10,045
MY Boys 0 #615 560 25,439
SG Girls 0 #625 8 18,916
AR Girls 0 #629 2 8,289
BO Girls 0 #649 3 9,488
HK Girls 0 #650 1 16,104
IN Girls 0 #654 1 13,121
Finland Boys 2026 #656 27 3,552
KW Boys 0 #671 99 18,755
IT 0 #680 35 4,183
LB 0 #686 5 13,263
IQ Boys 0 #689 9 13,071
United States Boys 2024 #715 178 7,044
BR Boys 0 #723 29 12,213
NG Girls 0 #757 30 15,093
SY 0 #767 1 11,684
OM Boys 0 #789 93 17,948
AE Boys 0 #809 287 22,615
Spain Boys 0 #818 113 5,610
CL Girls 0 #829 23 14,098
CO Boys 0 #841 80 15,656
TN 0 #862 4 13,765
PE Girls 0 #864 80 14,861
MX Boys 0 #878 105 16,355
SA Girls 0 #902 34 25,931
EG Boys 0 #923 3 15,035
IT Boys 0 #928 572 10,046
SA Boys 0 #953 790 28,008
IN Boys 0 #984 18 16,750
CO Girls 0 #1,003 76 16,140
MY Girls 0 #1,066 7 24,821
ZA Girls 0 #1,098 44 25,928
MA 0 #1,106 23 20,986
MX Girls 0 #1,173 11 17,781
TR 0 #1,198 14 19,440
DZ 0 #1,227 8 20,130
IT Girls 0 #1,432 15 9,415

Gerald is popular in 85 countries — most recent births per country:

Ireland
Canada
Scotland, United Kingdom
United States
Austria

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People also ask about Gerald

Gerald is predominantly a boy's name.
Gerald is a 2 syllable name, pronounced /ˈdʒɛr.əld/ (JERR-əld).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Jerald, Jerold, Gerrald, Gerry, Jerry and Geraldine.
Across languages, Gerald has these equivalents: Gérald (French), Geraldo (Portuguese/Spanish), Geralt (Polish/Slavic, modern/literary), Gerallt (Welsh), Gerald (German).
Yes, very popular — Gerald ranked #1 in Ireland in 2023, and appears in official birth registries across 7 countries.
Gerald ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2023).
Gerald's popularity is holding steady. It moved from #1 in 2014 to #1 in 2023 in Ireland.
Yes — 6 notable people named Gerald are in our database, including Gerald Ford (Politician), Gerry Mulligan (Musician), Gerald McRaney (Actor).