Name meaning & stats
Gerald
Gerald means “rule of the spear” (Germanic origin). 303,603 US babies since 1940, peak 1942. Notable Geralds are 1.5× over-represented as politicians.
What it means
“rule of the spear”
GermanicWell documented
In US birth records
Peak year: 1942
303,603 US babies were named Gerald between 1940 and 2025.
Where Geralds end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Politician | 1.5× | High · 61 people |
| NFL-style footballer | 1.3× | High · 41 people |
| Basketball player | 1.3× | High · 36 people |
| Professor | 1.4× | High · 35 people |
Among notable men who are politicians, Geralds show up 1.5× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Gerald has a surprise career: 1.5×
Spelling family
Gerald is the main spelling
- Gerald 99%
- Gerold 1%
- Gerrald <1%
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1942)