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 experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century, with peaks and valleys that mirror broader societal trends. The name first gained notable traction in the late 1930s and early 1940s, coinciding with World War II, reaching a high of 83 births in 1942. This period saw a substantial increase in births overall, possibly due to delayed childbearing among young couples during the Great Depression or the influence of wartime propaganda encouraging procreation. However, it is essential to note that Geri was still not an exceptionally popular name, even at its peak.
The post-war baby boom did little to boost Geri's popularity, with births ranging from 23 to 49 between 1946 and 1950. It wasn't until the mid-1950s that Geri began to gain significant traction again, reaching a high of 265 births in 1956. This trend continued through the early 1960s, with Geri enjoying moderate popularity, although it never approached the levels seen during World War II.
After 1964, Geri's popularity steadily declined, and by the late 1970s, it had fallen out of favor altogether. Between 1973 and 1982, there were fewer than 100 births each year with the name Geri. This period also coincided with broader trends towards less traditional naming practices, as parents sought unique and unusual names for their children.
In recent decades, Geri has remained relatively uncommon, with fewer than 50 births per year on average since the late 1980s. The total number of births with the name Geri over this period is 8,021, suggesting that while it may not have been particularly popular at any given time, it did enjoy some degree of consistent usage throughout the century.
Overall, the statistics for the name Geri reflect broader trends in naming practices and societal shifts during the past century. Despite its fluctuating popularity, Geri has remained a relatively uncommon choice among parents, perhaps owing to its association with certain historical events or cultural contexts.