Gerald is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German word "ger," which means "spear," and the element "wald," meaning "rule." Therefore, Gerald translates to "ruler with the spear." This name has been popular throughout history, particularly in English-speaking countries.
The name Gerald first appeared during the Middle Ages, brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066. It was initially introduced through the French form of the name, Gérard, which was borne by several historical figures, including Gérard de Ridefort, a prominent crusader and Grand Master of the Knights Templar.
Over time, Gerald evolved as an independent given name in English-speaking countries, gaining significant popularity during the Victorian era in the 19th century. Today, Gerald remains a classic choice for parents seeking a traditional yet distinctive name for their son.
Some notable individuals named Gerald include Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States, and Gerald Durrell, the British naturalist and author known for his books about his childhood on the Greek island of Corfu.
The given statistics show the number of births with the name Gerald in the United States from 1880 to 2023. Over this period, we can observe several trends and patterns.
From 1880 to 1915, the number of births with the name Gerald remained relatively low, ranging from 11 to 2085 births per year. However, starting in 1916, there was a significant increase in popularity for this name. Between 1916 and 1932, the number of annual births with the name Gerald increased by over 700%, reaching a peak of 9424 births in 1937.
The period from 1933 to 1950 saw a decline in popularity for the name Gerald. During these years, the annual number of births with this name fluctuated but remained relatively stable, ranging from approximately 8000 to 10,000 births per year.
From 1951 onwards, there was another significant decrease in the popularity of the name Gerald. Between 1951 and 2023, the annual number of births with this name declined by over 97%, dropping from around 9500 births in 1951 to just 212 births in 2023.
In total, between 1880 and 2023, there were 448,607 births with the name Gerald in the United States. These statistics demonstrate how trends in naming can change significantly over time, with periods of popularity followed by declines in usage.