The name Geri is of German origin and means "spear". It is a short form of the German masculine name Gerhard, which is composed of the elements "ger" meaning "spear" and "hard" meaning "strong, brave, hardy". The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and was popular among the nobility during that time. Today, Geri is used as both a male and female name, although it is more commonly associated with males. Some famous people named Geri include Geri Halliwell, a member of the British girl group Spice Girls, and Geri Allen, an American jazz pianist.
The name Geri has a unique history of usage in the United States, with its popularity fluctuating over the years. Between 1918 and 2018, there were a total of 8,021 babies named Geri born in the U.S., according to the Social Security Administration's data.
The name's peak popularity was during the 1950s, with a notable spike occurring in 1957 when there were 368 births. This trend continued into the early 1960s, with over 200 births per year from 1960 to 1964.
However, starting in the mid-1960s, the usage of the name Geri began to decline significantly. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, the number of babies named Geri dropped below 100 per year. This downward trend continued throughout the remainder of the century, with fewer than 50 babies named Geri born each year between 1986 and 2000.
In recent years, the name Geri has become quite rare in the United States. Between 2001 and 2018, there were only a total of 73 births, with the highest year being 2006 at just 14 births. In 2015 and 2016, there were only six and five babies named Geri born in the U.S., respectively.
Overall, while Geri was once a popular name for newborn girls in America during its peak years, it has become increasingly uncommon in recent decades. Nonetheless, its unique history and usage provide an interesting glimpse into the evolution of naming trends over time.