Gerold Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Gerold is an Old High German name meaning 'spear ruler'. Its elements reflect strength and leadership, making it a name associated with power. Over time, it has evolved through various linguistic forms and has historical significance, particularly in medieval Germany. The name has no direct biblical relevance but has found its place in modern culture through its variants. Today, it is seen as a classic name that embodies historical roots.
The name Gerold is most popular in Wisconsin, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation 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, Gerold 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, 'Gerold' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1660th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 832nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1009th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1922nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5023rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 15886th out of 24088 names. Discover how the name 'Gerold' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Gerold"
Pronunciation
/ˈɡɛr.əld/
Origin
Old High German
Etymology
The name Gerold is derived from the Old High German elements 'ger', meaning 'spear', and 'wald', meaning 'rule' or 'power'. Thus, it can be interpreted as 'spear ruler' or 'powerful with a spear'.
Meaning
spear ruler, powerful with a spear
Language Evolution
Gerwald, Geroldus, Gerold
Historical Usage
The name Gerold was used in medieval times and saw a resurgence in the 19th century in German-speaking countries. It has been less common in modern times but remains a recognizable name.
Variants & Derivatives
Gerald, Geraldo, Gerry
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Gerold is viewed as a traditional name with historical significance, though it is not very common in contemporary usage. It carries a classic and somewhat regal connotation.
Famous People
Gerold Schneider, a noted German politician, Gerold H. K. Schmitt, a recognized German architect
Explore More Gerold Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Gerold"
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 "Gerold"
"Gerold" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1660th of 7545 | 332 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 832nd of 6773 | 1,053 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1009th of 7552 | 1,047 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1922nd of 10718 | 364 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5023rd of 16616 | 143 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 15886th of 24088 | 26 |
Regional Popularity of "Gerold" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
66.45% 941st/1416 |
- | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
33.64% 520th/1546 |
- |
76.41% 1798th/2353 |
52.81% 817th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
35.02% 780th/2227 |
67.94% 1651st/2430 |
66.14% 1887th/2853 |
34.77% 965th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - |
60.78% 2458th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Gerold" 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 "Gerold"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Gerold" 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.