Geraldine

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Geraldine

Gender: Feminine
Language: English, French
Etymology:
Geraldine is the feminine form of Gerald, the English form of an Old Germanic name, Gairovald. Originally it meant “Spear Ruler,” from “ger” (spear) and “wald” (rule).

History:
Geraldine began life as an adjective meaning “of the Fitzgerald family.” It was used in 1540 by Henry Howard Surrey to describe the Lady Elizabeth Fitzgerald. It was used occasionally by other poets until the early 19th century. One of the earliest noted bearers was Geraldina Eugenia Wallace (1811-1820) and Geraldine Jewsbury (born 1812). It was popularized by a character in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Christabel (1816).

Pronunciation: jair-ell-deen.

Diminutives: Gerri.

Alternates: Jeraldine, Geraldina.
Hawaiian: Kalelakine.

Masculine: Gerald.

Famous Bearers:
Political Figures:
Geraldine A. Ferraro (1935-)
American politician.

Singers and Entertainers:
Geraldine Farrar (1882-1967)
American soprano.
Geraldine Page (1924-1987)
American actress.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.141 % named Geraldine
0.003 % named Jeraldine

Popularity of Geraldine:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 179th most popular.
1910-1920: 97th most popular.
1920-1930: 56th most popular.
1930-1940: 39th most popular.
1940-1950: 64th most popular.
1950-1960: 152nd most popular.
1960-1970: 299th most popular.
1970-1980: 693rd most popular.
1980-1990: 915th most popular.
1990: 831st most popular.
1991: N/A

In France...
1900-1939: N/A
1940: 192nd most popular.
1946: 194th most popular.
1950: N/A
1952: 181st most popular.
1960: 167th most popular.
1970: 48th most popular.
1980: 51st most popular.
1989: 162nd most popular.
1990-2000: N/A