Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Geraldine
GirlEnglish, Germanic· “feminine of Gerald; spear rule”
- Meaning
- feminine of Gerald; spear rule
- Origin
- English, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- jehr-uhl-DEEN
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #2,447
- US babies 2025
- 73
- Best rank
- #38 (1931)
- Peak year
- 1930
Meaning and origin of Geraldine
Geraldine is an English and Germanic name that means “feminine of Gerald; spear rule”.
Geraldine is the feminine of Gerald, from Germanic elements meaning spear and rule. The name first appeared in Tudor England, when the poet Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, used Fair Geraldine to describe Lady Elizabeth FitzGerald in his verse. It became a popular English given name in later centuries. Geraldine has a warm, vintage character, and its many nicknames, including Gerry, Dina and Jeri, give it flexibility. It feels classic yet slightly quirky, which appeals to parents drawn to old-fashioned revivals.
Popularity over time
Geraldine 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 102 different years. Its best national rank was #38 in 1931, and the most babies received it in 1930, when 5,448 were named Geraldine. In 2025, 73 babies were named Geraldine, and it ranked #2,447 nationally. That is 44% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #60 in 1920, #102 in 1950, #1,209 in 1980, #1,822 in 2000, #1,162 in 2010, and #2,447 in 2025. Of the 211,349 US girls named Geraldine since records began, 24% were born in the 1930s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 48,044 babies. Since 2010, 2,382 more have been named Geraldine.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Billie, Norma, and Dolores.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Geraldine ranked highest in California, North Carolina, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #1522 | 15 |
| North Carolina | #1541 | 5 |
| Texas | #1953 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Geraldine is usually pronounced jehr-uhl-DEEN, with three syllables. It has nine letters, starts with G and ends in “-ne”.
Middle names for Geraldine
A few middle names that flow with Geraldine: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Geraldine
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Lists that include Geraldine
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Geraldine mean?
Geraldine is an English and Germanic name that means “feminine of Gerald; spear rule”.
What is the origin of the name Geraldine?
Geraldine has English and Germanic roots. Geraldine is the feminine of Gerald, from Germanic elements meaning spear and rule.
Is Geraldine a popular name?
Not especially. Geraldine ranked #2,447 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Geraldine a boy or girl name?
Geraldine is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Geraldine?
Geraldine is usually pronounced jehr-uhl-DEEN. 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