Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Geronimo
BoyItalian, Spanish· “holy name”
- Meaning
- holy name
- Origin
- Italian, Spanish
- Pronunciation
- juh-RON-ih-moh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #3,541
- US babies 2025
- 32
- Best rank
- #1,138 (1907)
- Peak year
- 2009
Meaning and origin of Geronimo
Geronimo is an Italian and Spanish name that means “holy name”.
Geronimo is the Italian and Spanish form of Jerome, from Greek Hieronymos, holy name, from hieros, holy, and onoma, name. Saint Jerome translated the Bible into Latin in the fourth century. The name is best known in the US through Geronimo, the Apache leader whose Chiricahua name was Goyaałé; Mexican soldiers gave him the name Geronimo. His resistance to American and Mexican forces made him a famous figure. The shout Geronimo, used by paratroopers, came from the same source. It is said juh-RON-ih-moh in English.
Popularity over time
Geronimo first appears in US Social Security records in 1906. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,138 in 1907, and the most babies received it in 2009, when 55 were named Geronimo. In 2025, 32 babies were named Geronimo, and it ranked #3,541 nationally. That is 30% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,848 in 1920, #1,584 in 1950, #1,603 in 1980, #2,232 in 2000, #3,746 in 2010, and #3,541 in 2025. Of the 3,085 US boys named Geronimo since records began, 14% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 410 babies. Since 2010, 627 more have been named Geronimo.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Khaleb, Elija, Joseangel, Zackariah, and Dallen.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Geronimo ranked highest in Texas and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #2375 | 6 |
| California | #2588 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Geronimo is usually pronounced juh-RON-ih-moh, with four syllables. It has eight letters, starts with G and ends in “-mo”.
Middle names for Geronimo
A few middle names that flow with Geronimo: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Geronimo
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Lists that include Geronimo
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Geronimo mean?
Geronimo is an Italian and Spanish name that means “holy name”.
What is the origin of the name Geronimo?
Geronimo has Italian, Spanish, and Greek roots. Geronimo is the Italian and Spanish form of Jerome, from Greek Hieronymos, holy name, from hieros, holy, and onoma, name.
Is Geronimo a popular name?
Not especially. Geronimo ranked #3,541 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Geronimo a boy or girl name?
Geronimo is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Geronimo?
Geronimo is usually pronounced juh-RON-ih-moh. 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