Geraldine is a feminine given name of English origin. It is derived from the male name Gerald, which is composed of the Germanic elements "ger" meaning "spear" and "wald" meaning "rule". Therefore, the name Geraldine means "rules with the spear", or more figuratively, it could mean "strong ruler".
The name Geraldine first appeared in the 13th century as a diminutive form of Geralda, a female name of Germanic origin. It was not widely used until the 19th century when it became popular among families of Scottish and Irish descent.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Geraldine. For instance, Geraldine Chaplin is an English actress known for her roles in films such as "Dr. Zhivago" and "Nashville". Additionally, Geraldine Ferraro was an American politician who became the first woman to run for Vice President of the United States on a major party ticket in 1984.
In literature, the name Geraldine is associated with the character Geraldine Grissom from the television series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation".
Overall, the name Geraldine has a strong and powerful meaning that reflects its Germanic origins. It has been worn by many notable individuals throughout history, both in real life and in fiction.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Geraldine has had varying popularity over the years in the United States. The highest number of babies named Geraldine occurred in 1928 and 1933, with 18 births each year. This suggests that the name was quite popular during these periods.
Interestingly, there were multiple years where the number of babies named Geraldine was particularly low, such as 5 births in 1915, 1945, 1953, and 1969. This could indicate that the name was less favored or possibly out of style during these times.
Overall, there were a total of 483 babies named Geraldine born in the United States from 1915 to 1969. While this number is not insignificant, it also shows that the name was not extremely common throughout these years. It's essential to remember that trends in baby names can change over time and may vary based on cultural preferences and other factors.
It's exciting to see how the popularity of a name like Geraldine has evolved over several decades, providing insight into the societal norms and tastes of each era.