Gerard is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German words "geri" meaning "spear" and "hard" meaning "strong". The name has been used throughout history, with notable figures including Saint Gerard, the patron saint of childbirth, who lived in the 6th century AD. In France, the name gained popularity during the Middle Ages, with many nobles and knights bearing this name. Today, Gerard is still a popular name in many countries around the world, including France, Belgium, Germany, England, Ireland, and even as far away as Australia.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Gerard has seen varying popularity over the years in the United States. In 1972, it was quite popular with 7 births recorded that year. However, there was a decline in its popularity as only 5 births were recorded in 1974.
There was another period of decline as no babies were named Gerard in the following two years, from 1975 to 1976. But it seems like the name made a comeback, albeit a small one, with 5 births recorded again in 1984.
Overall, from 1972 to 1984, there were a total of 17 babies named Gerard in the United States. While this number may not be as high as some other popular names during that time period, it still shows that the name Gerard has had a consistent, if somewhat fluctuating, presence in the US naming landscape over these years. It's always fascinating to see how different names ebb and flow in popularity over time!