Geraldo Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Geraldo has its origin in the Germanic name 'Gerwald', meaning 'spear ruler'. It evolved through various forms including Gerwald and Geralt before reaching its modern form. The name conveys traits of leadership and strength, and it does not have biblical significance. It gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in Latin America, and is associated with notable personalities, enhancing its modern perception as a charismatic name.
The name Geraldo is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the Northeast 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, Geraldo 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, 'Geraldo' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2692nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1388th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1343rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3379th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 8211th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Geraldo' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Geraldo"
Pronunciation
/ɡeˈɾaldo/
Origin
Spanish and Portuguese
Etymology
The name Geraldo is derived from the Germanic name 'Gerwald', which is composed of the elements 'ger' meaning 'spear' and 'wald' meaning 'rule'.
Meaning
spear ruler
Language Evolution
Gerwald, Geralt, Geraldo
Historical Usage
Geraldo gained popularity in the 20th century, especially in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries, and has been associated with various notable figures in entertainment and sports.
Variants & Derivatives
Gerard, Geral, Gerry
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Geraldo is viewed positively and is often associated with charisma and leadership, partly due to the influence of public figures bearing the name.
Famous People
Geraldo Rivera, Geraldo de Barros
Explore More Geraldo Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Geraldo"
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 "Geraldo"
"Geraldo" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2692nd of 7552 | 177 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1388th of 10718 | 614 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1343rd of 16616 | 1,032 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3379th of 24088 | 460 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 8211th of 23106 | 107 |
Regional Popularity of "Geraldo" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
38.11% 926th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
51.82% 1522nd/2937 |
19.84% 691st/3483 |
42.47% 1494th/3518 |
35.71% 1444th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
46.95% 1730th/3685 |
16.36% 732nd/4475 |
24.84% 1290th/5194 |
20.79% 1313th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
47.56% 2456th/5164 |
36.92% 2700th/7313 |
43.60% 3254th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Geraldo" 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 "Geraldo"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Geraldo" 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.