Girard Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Girard is derived from Old High German, combining elements that mean 'brave spear.' It has evolved through various historical forms, reflecting its Germanic roots. The name conveys strength and bravery, though it has no biblical significance. It gained popularity in medieval France and continues to be recognized today, associated with nobility and craftsmanship.
The name Girard is most popular in Pennsylvania, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation 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, Girard has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South. 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. Across generations, 'Girard' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1634th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1438th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1453rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2784th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4646th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 13873rd out of 24088 names. Discover how the name 'Girard' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Girard"
Pronunciation
/ʒɪˈrɑrd/
Origin
Old High German
Etymology
The name Girard derives from the Germanic elements 'gīzar,' meaning 'spear,' and 'hard,' meaning 'brave' or 'strong.' It was introduced to France during the early medieval period and has since evolved in usage.
Meaning
brave spear
Language Evolution
Gêrhard (Old High German), Gerard (Old French), Girard (Modern French)
Historical Usage
The name Girard became popular in France during the medieval period and has remained in use, particularly in regions with French influence.
Variants & Derivatives
Gerard, Gérard, Giray
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Girard is seen as a classic name with a strong and noble connotation, though it is less common than in previous centuries.
Famous People
Girard de Villers, a notable French philosopher, Girard Perregaux, a renowned Swiss watchmaker
Explore More Girard Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Girard"
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 "Girard"
"Girard" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1634th of 7545 | 341 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1438th of 6773 | 417 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1453rd of 7552 | 549 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2784th of 10718 | 205 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4646th of 16616 | 161 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 13873rd of 24088 | 39 |
Regional Popularity of "Girard" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
49.46% 682nd/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
39.46% 614th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
63.27% 1409th/2227 |
34.36% 835th/2430 |
77.71% 2217th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
60.24% 2098th/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Girard" 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 "Girard"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Girard" 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.