Geraldine is a feminine given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname "Gerald," which is itself an Old German name consisting of the elements "ger" meaning "spear" and "wald" meaning "rule." Therefore, Geraldine can be translated to mean "ruling with the spear."
The name Geraldine was first used as a given name in the 19th century. It gained popularity due to its use by several notable figures, such as Geraldine Farrar, an American operatic soprano active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and Geraldine Fitzgerald, an Irish actress known for her roles in films like "Wuthering Heights" and "Rebecca."
Despite its Scottish origins, Geraldine has been adopted worldwide and can be found among various cultures and societies. It is considered a classic yet unique name that carries a strong and powerful meaning. Today, Geraldine remains a popular choice for parents looking to give their daughters a distinctive name with a rich history behind it.
In conclusion, Geraldine is a feminine given name of Scottish origin that translates to "ruling with the spear." With its strong meaning and classic yet unique sound, it has been adopted worldwide and carries the legacy of notable figures who have borne this name throughout history.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Geraldine in the United States, we can observe several trends over time.
From 1880 to around 1950, the number of births with the name Geraldine increased steadily. The highest peak was reached in 1952 with a total of 3047 births that year. This period corresponds to the post-World War II baby boom era.
However, from 1953 onwards, there was a significant decrease in the number of births named Geraldine. This trend continued until the late 1960s, with only a few hundred babies named Geraldine each year.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the popularity of the name Geraldine started to decline further, with fewer than 200 births per year on average. This trend continued into the 1990s and early 2000s, with only a few dozen babies named Geraldine each year.
Despite this overall decline in popularity, there were some fluctuations in the number of births named Geraldine in recent years. For example, in 2003, there were 127 births, followed by an increase to 186 births in 2004. Similarly, there was a spike in 2009 with 202 births, and another peak in 2011 with 265 births.
In recent years, the number of births named Geraldine has remained relatively stable, with around 130-150 births per year between 2013 and 2023. This indicates that while the name may not be as popular as it once was, it continues to be chosen for a small but consistent number of newborns each year.
Overall, the statistics show that the popularity of the name Geraldine has fluctuated over time, with peaks in the mid-20th century and a significant decline in recent decades. Despite this overall trend, there have been some fluctuations in popularity in recent years, indicating that the name continues to be chosen for newborns, albeit at a lower rate than in the past.