Fitzgerald Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The surname Fitzgerald has its origins in Old French, meaning 'son of Gerald', and evolved through various historical forms. It signifies noble roots and has biblical relevance, which is not applicable. The name saw a rise in popularity in Ireland during the 12th century and is associated with a renowned noble family. Variants such as Fitz and Gerald are commonly used. Today, it is viewed as an aristocratic name, linked to notable figures such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Fitzgerald Kennedy.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Fitzgerald"
Pronunciation
/ˈfɪtsɡərəld/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The surname Fitzgerald is derived from the Old French 'fils de Gérald', meaning 'son of Gerald'. The name Gerald itself comes from the Germanic elements 'ger' meaning 'spear' and 'wald' meaning 'rule'.
Meaning
son of Gerald
Language Evolution
Fitz Gerald, Fitzgeralt, Fitzgerald
Historical Usage
The name Fitzgerald gained popularity in Ireland after the Anglo-Norman invasion in the 12th century, becoming associated with a prominent noble family.
Variants & Derivatives
Fitz, Gerald, Gerry
Modern Popularity & Image
Fitzgerald is often perceived as an aristocratic surname with historical significance, particularly in Irish and Anglo-Irish contexts.
Famous People
F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Catherine Fitzgerald
📊 Fitzgerald Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Fitzgerald Name Visualizations
✨ Fitzgerald Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 125 peak births in 1964
Geographic Spread
Popular across 20 US states, with strongest presence in Minnesota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Fitzgerald"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Fitzgerald"
"Fitzgerald" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 5779th of 7545 | 18 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4999th of 6773 | 24 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2357th of 7552 | 226 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1964th of 10718 | 354 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3506th of 16616 | 244 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 8171st of 24088 | 124 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1992nd of 23106 | 895 |
Regional Popularity of "Fitzgerald" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
60.71% 1352nd/2227 |
58.68% 1426th/2430 |
45.99% 1312th/2853 |
56.97% 1581st/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
42.84% 1492nd/3483 |
46.79% 1646th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
59.17% 2648th/4475 |
- | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
36.60% 1458th/3984 |
55.85% 2506th/4487 |
40.43% 2758th/6822 |
39.82% 2499th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Fitzgerald" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Fitzgerald"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Fitzgerald" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Fitzgerald" in the United States
The name Fitzgerald is most popular in Minnesota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Fitzgerald has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Fitzgerald' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5779th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4999th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2357th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1964th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3506th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 8171st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1992nd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Fitzgerald' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.