Geraldine

At a Glance

Meaning

A FitzGerald-inspired coinage, later treated as Gerald's feminine form

Origin

English (literary, linked to Gerald)

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

JAIR-əl-deenListen

Geraldine began around 1540 as a poet's invented name honoring a lady of the FitzGerald family, and only later came to be treated as the feminine counterpart of Gerald. That means the common claim that it simply means 'spear ruler' as Gerald's feminine form doesn't hold up. It's an English name with a literary past, pronounced JAIR-əl-deen.

Meaning & Origin of Geraldine

Meaning: A FitzGerald-inspired coinage, later treated as Gerald's feminine form.

Origin: English (literary, linked to Gerald).

A common claim: Geraldine means 'spear ruler,' as the feminine form of Gerald Actually: Geraldine didn't start out as simply 'the feminine form of Gerald' — it began around 1540 as a poet's invented name honoring a lady of the FitzGerald family, and only later came to be treated as Gerald's feminine counterpart.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Geraldine

Popularity of Geraldine

Geraldine peaked at #38 in 1931, when 5,413 babies were given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #2013, with 97 babies, so today's Geraldine would be a rare name on the playground.

Names Like Geraldine

These names have followed a similar path to Geraldine in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Sheldon
• Freddie
• Josefina
• Duane
• Marlin
• Arvin

FAQ

What does the name Geraldine mean?

A FitzGerald-inspired coinage, later treated as Gerald’s feminine form. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Geraldine?

Geraldine is pronounced JAIR-əl-deen (IPA: /ˈdʒɛrəldiːn/).

Is Geraldine a popular name right now?

Geraldine peaked at #38 in 1931 and is ranked #2013 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Geraldine Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Geraldine, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.