Girard is a masculine given name of French origin. It is derived from the Germanic name Geriheri, which is composed of the elements "geri" meaning "spear" and "heri" meaning "army". Therefore, Girard's meaning can be interpreted as "strong in war".
The name Girard has a rich history in France, particularly during the Middle Ages. It was quite popular among the nobility and could be found in various regions of the country. Some notable figures bearing this name include Girard de Roussillon, a famous troubadour from the 12th century, and Girard Deschamps, a French poet and composer who lived in the late 14th to early 15th centuries.
Over time, the name Girard has evolved and become more rare. However, it remains a unique and historic choice for parents looking for a distinctive name with deep roots in French culture and history.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Girard has had a varied history of popularity over the past century in the United States.
The earliest data available is from 1900, with 5 babies being named Girard that year. The name's popularity fluctuated significantly during the early part of the 20th century, with the number of births ranging from 5 to 33 between 1900 and 1918.
There was a notable increase in the popularity of the name in the mid-1920s, reaching its peak at 37 births in 1926. This level of popularity was maintained for several years, with over 25 births each year from 1926 to 1931.
However, after 1931, there was a steady decline in the number of babies named Girard, dropping below 20 births per year by 1945. This trend continued throughout the latter half of the 20th century, with the name's popularity reaching its lowest point in recent years, with only 5 or 6 births annually from 2000 to 2003.
In total, over the period for which data is available (1900-2003), there were 1717 babies named Girard born in the United States. While the name has not been among the most popular throughout this time, it has maintained a consistent presence in American baby names, with periods of higher and lower popularity.