The name Gerad is of German origin and is derived from the Old Germanic elements "ger" meaning "spear" and "rad" meaning "protection". It is a variant spelling of the name Gerard, which was originally introduced into Britain by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name Gerad has been used consistently throughout history, with notable figures such as Saint Gerad (also known as Gerald) being born in France around the 9th century. Today, Gerad is still used as a given name, though it remains relatively uncommon compared to its variant spelling Gerard.
The name Gerard has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1952 and 2013, there were a total of 594 babies named Gerard.
The number of births peaked in 1981 with 33 newborns given the name Gerard, followed by another peak in 1982 with 35 births. However, the popularity of the name has since declined. In recent years, there have been fewer than 10 babies named Gerard each year.
The most popular decade for the name Gerard was the 1980s, with a total of 147 births recorded during that period. The least popular decade was the 2000s, with only 36 births recorded between 2000 and 2009.
Despite the fluctuations in popularity over the years, Gerard remains a classic and timeless name choice for parents looking to give their child a unique and memorable moniker.