The name Gerrell is of African origin, derived from the Yoruba tribe's name for their god of iron and war, Ogun. In the Yoruba religion, Ogun is believed to be the patron deity of blacksmiths, warriors, and hunters.
The meaning behind the name Gerrell is associated with strength, courage, and virility, reflecting the attributes of the god Ogun. This name has been passed down through generations in African communities and has gained popularity in recent years among people of African descent living outside Africa.
Despite its African roots, there is no specific historical figure named Gerrell that stands out above others. However, the name Gerrell has been used by notable individuals throughout history, including a character in the novel "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe, further popularizing this unique name.
Today, Gerrell remains a distinctive and powerful name choice for parents looking to honor their African heritage or simply drawn to its strong meaning.
The name Gerrell has been given to a total of 446 children in the United States over several decades, with the earliest recorded birth occurring in 1939 and the most recent in 2022. The peak years for this name's popularity were between 1985 and 1996, during which time there were consistently more than ten births per year. Specifically, there were 14 births in 1985, 16 in 1986, 15 in both 1987 and 1994, 17 in 1996, and even higher numbers in some years between these periods.
After this peak, the number of babies named Gerrell began to decline steadily. Between 1997 and 2004, there were fewer than ten births each year, with a particularly low point of six births recorded in both 1998 and 2004. However, the popularity of this name started to rise again slightly after 2005, with more than ten births occurring annually between 2005 and 2010.
Interestingly, there was another small spike in popularity for Gerrell in recent years, with six births recorded in both 2017 and 2022. This suggests that while this name may not be among the most popular choices currently, it continues to appeal to some parents who choose more unique options for their children's names.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate the fluctuating popularity of the name Gerrell over time, with periods of higher and lower usage throughout several decades in the United States.