Fitzgerald is a historic and distinguished given name, originating from Ireland. Derived from the Norman surname FitzGerald, it translates to 'son of Gerald'. The use of Fitzgerald as a first name became more prevalent in the 19th century, often chosen for its strong, regal sound and association with prominent figures like F. Scott Fitzgerald, the renowned American novelist known for his Jazz Age works, most famously 'The Great Gatsby'.
The name Fitzgerald experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable spike starting from the late 1960s and peaking between 2015 to 2018 before tapering off slightly.