Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Gerald
BoyGermanic, English· “spear rule”
- Meaning
- spear rule
- Origin
- Germanic, English
- Pronunciation
- JEH-ruhld
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,206
- US babies 2025
- 168
- Best rank
- #19 (1936)
- Peak year
- 1942
Meaning and origin of Gerald
Gerald is a Germanic and English name that means “spear rule”.
Gerald comes from the Germanic Gerwald, made of ger, spear, and wald, rule. The Normans brought it to England and Ireland, where it became associated with the powerful FitzGerald family. The name was revived in the nineteenth century and was very popular in the first half of the twentieth. Gerald Ford, the thirty-eighth president of the United States, is a well-known bearer. Gerald feels solid and mid-century, with the friendly nicknames Gerry and Jerry. It is often confused with Gerard, a related name built on ger and hard, brave.
Other spellings with the same sound: Jerald, Jerrold.
Popularity over time
Gerald has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 141 different years. Its best national rank was #19 in 1936, and the most babies received it in 1942, when 11,484 were named Gerald. In 2025, 168 babies were named Gerald, and it ranked #1,206 nationally. That is 46% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #64 in 1920, #34 in 1950, #148 in 1980, #382 in 2000, #679 in 2010, and #1,206 in 2025. Of the 448,966 US boys named Gerald since records began, 23% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 82,821 babies. Since 2010, 4,243 more have been named Gerald.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Gerald ranked highest in Louisiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | #615 | 7 |
| Michigan | #735 | 10 |
| Pennsylvania | #758 | 11 |
| New York | #895 | 15 |
| Indiana | #994 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Gerald is usually pronounced JEH-ruhld, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with G and ends in “-ld”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Jerald and Jerrold.
Middle names for Gerald
A few middle names that flow with Gerald: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Gerald
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Lists that include Gerald
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gerald mean?
Gerald is a Germanic and English name that means “spear rule”.
What is the origin of the name Gerald?
Gerald has Germanic and English roots. Gerald comes from the Germanic Gerwald, made of ger, spear, and wald, rule.
Is Gerald a popular name?
Not especially. Gerald ranked #1,206 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Gerald a boy or girl name?
Gerald is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Gerald?
Gerald is usually pronounced JEH-ruhld. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings