Gerard is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German word "ger," which means "spear," and the element "-hard," meaning "strong, brave." The name Gerard therefore translates to "brave with a spear" or "strong as a spear."
The name Gerard was popular among the Frankish people during the Middle Ages. It is believed that Saint Gérard of Tunges (also known as Saint Gerald of Aurillac) contributed to its popularity. He was a French nobleman who lived in the 9th century and is revered as a saint by both Catholics and Anglicans. His reputation for bravery, courage, and chivalry may have influenced people to choose this name for their children.
Gerard has been used throughout history by various notable figures, including Gerard of Aiguillon, a French cardinal in the 13th century; Gerard Manley Hopkins, an English poet and Jesuit priest in the 19th century; and Gerard Depardieu, a renowned French actor in modern times. However, despite its long history and association with prominent individuals, Gerard has never been among the most popular names in any country.
Today, Gerard is still used as a given name, but it is more commonly found as a surname. It is considered a classic, traditional name that conveys strength and bravery, making it an appealing choice for parents looking for a timeless name with a rich history. However, due to its relative rarity as a first name, those named Gerard may enjoy standing out from the crowd while still being part of a long and distinguished line of bearers dating back centuries.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Gerrad has seen varying popularity over time in the United States. The first recorded birth with this name was in 1968, with only six newborns named Gerrad that year.
The name experienced some fluctuations in popularity during the following years. In 1970 and 1975, there were five and seven births respectively, indicating a slight decrease in popularity. However, it picked up again in the late 1970s, with peaks of seventeen births in both 1977 and 1982.
Interestingly, Gerrad reached its peak popularity in the United States during the early 1980s. Between 1980 and 1984, there were consistently high numbers of babies named Gerrad, with a total of sixty-four births over these five years alone. This represents almost one-fifth of all recorded births with this name in the United States since 1968.
However, popularity of the name Gerrad began to decline thereafter. Between 1985 and 2001, there were only seventy-nine recorded births with this name – an average of just over four per year. This is a significant drop from the peak years in the early 1980s.
In conclusion, while the name Gerrad has had periods of popularity throughout its history in the United States, it has generally been relatively uncommon compared to other names. Its highest point was reached during the early 1980s when there were consistently high numbers of babies named Gerrad born each year. However, since then, its usage has declined significantly. Overall, a total of three hundred and twenty-one babies have been named Gerrad in the United States since 1968.