Geraldine
First Name Meaning, Usage, Popularity & Related Names
Geraldine is a Germanic name meaning “ruler with a spear”. It is a common name, overwhelmingly used for girls, with 99.99% female usage.
Meaning & Origin of the name Geraldine
Geraldine is a name of Germanic origin that serves as the feminine form of Gerald. It is constructed from the elements ger, meaning spear, and wald, meaning rule or power. This compound suggests the traditional interpretation of a powerful spear-wielder or a ruler with a spear. The name gained distinct cultural visibility through the influence of the FitzGerald family, a notable Anglo-Norman noble dynasty in Ireland, which historically helped elevate the name's status.
Meaning Comments
- Gh0st_pk3r_9: The 1947 book The Oxford Dictionary of Christian Names by E. G. Withycombe states this about the name's origin: "A female name. This name seems to have been invented by the poet Surrey who, c. 1540, celebrated the beauty of Lady Elizabeth Fitzgerald, d. Of the 9th Earl of Kildare, under the name of ‘the fair Geraldine’ (Geraldine = one of the Fitzgeralds)." [noted -ed]
- Pk_pain_rang: This name was created by the Earl of Surrey in the 16th century as a poetic nickname for Lady Elizabeth Fitzgerald (Gerald + the feminine ending '-ine').
- Madlollypop0: I love, love, love this name! I think it’s a classy, timeless, uncommon, feminine, spunky, fun, unique, bubbly, and cool name! I think it has an old world charm, with a new school edge. The girl that has this name is sassy, confident, spunky, funny, and fiercely independent. The woman that has this name is sharp, capable, funny, warm, loving, fiercely independent and kind. This name can go from kindergarten to the boardroom, from nursery school to medical school, from the playground to the court room. This name is built for a little girl that will change the world and take no prisoners doing it.
Gender Usage of the Name Geraldine
Overall Gender Classification Methodology
Geraldine is overwhelmingly used as a name for girls. Approximately 99.99% of recorded bearers are female. This classification is supported by extensive records and is considered highly reliable.
Popularity of the Name Geraldine
Note: Green bars show popularity (% of births); the violet line shows historical ranking. Data is based on official government birth records. Click any chart to view details by year and region.
Overall PopularityMethodology
Geraldine is listed under Common Girl Names worldwide. Its overall popularity is supported by stronger usage in United Kingdom across the available regional markets.
| Region | Popularity | Birth Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Common | 1 in every 30K births |
| United Kingdom | Common | 1 in every 3.9K births |
| Canada | Common | 1 in every 61K births |
| Australia | Uncommon | 1 in every 899K births |
Ranking OverviewMethodology
Geraldine ranked #2,708 on the Popular Girls’ Names Worldwide List (2025). It rose from #2,945 in 2024 — an improvement of 237 places. Geraldine is uncommon in official lists but appears occasionally.
Historically, its best recorded position was #50 in 1933. Its lowest recorded position was #2,945 in 2024. Over the last 5 years (2020–2025) the name fell -146 places (from #2,562 to #2,708).
Name StyleMethodology
Geraldine is classified as Timeless Girl Names because it appears across 100% of recorded years, averages 1,998 births per year over its full timeline, and still averages 256 births per year recently.Characteristics of the Name Geraldine
Pronunciation & StructureMethodology
- Phonetic Source
- CMU
- Syllables
- 3 syllables — Three-Syllable Girl Names
- Length
- 9 letters — Very Long Girl Names
- Starts with
- G — Girl Names Starting with G
- Ends with
- e — Girl Names Ending in “e”
Name AestheticMethodology
Geraldine features a three-syllable structure with a terminal stress pattern that lends it a formal, balanced rhythm. It is prominently associated with the actress Geraldine Page and the fictional character Geraldine Granger from The Vicar of Dibley. The combination of its mid-century popularity and traditional cadence establishes a Vintage Revival and Elegant & Timeless aesthetic.
Middle Names For Geraldine
Middle names used with GeraldineMethodology
Geraldine is most frequently used with these girl middle names: Geraldine Ann · Geraldine Marie · Geraldine Elizabeth · Geraldine Williams · Geraldine SmithView all 937 girl middle names.
- Total 1,347 middle names used with Geraldine
- 79 boy middle names used with Geraldine
- 304 unisex middle names used with Geraldine
Middle name suggestions for GeraldineMethodology
Based on observed first-middle-name pattern combinations, Geraldine is most frequently associated with girl middle names that have 2 syllables, Strong–Weak stress pattern, 5 letters, and a starting sound of “m”.
Examples: Geraldine Myers · Geraldine Monae · Geraldine Megan · Geraldine Moody · Geraldine Monay. View all 264 suggested middle names.
Associations of the Name Geraldine
Royal UsageMethodology
Featured among Royal Girl Names, the name Geraldine has been used by Geraldine (born 1833).
Names Similar to Geraldine
Sound Like Geraldine Finder
Names with the exact same overall pronunciation and sound: Gearldine · Jeraldine · Geraldean · View all 11 names
Spelled Like Geraldine Finder
Names with similar spelling patterns and letter sequences: Gerarldine · Geraline · Geraldene · View all 13 names
Same Starting Sound Finder
Names that begin with a similar phonetic sound: Jennifer · Jessica · Janet · View all Top 100 names
Rhymes With Geraldine Finder
Names that share similar ending sounds and rhymes: Susan · Karen · Helen · View all Top 100 names
Same Rhythm & Syllables Finder
Names with matching syllable stress and pronunciation rhythm: Adrienne · Bernadette · Maryann · View all Top 100 names
Dictionary & Etymology of “Geraldine”
Dictionary Meaning of "Geraldine"Methodology
A female given name from the Germanic languages
Examples
- Hunsdon did first present her to mine eyen; / Bright is her hue, and Geraldine she hight.
- Alberta is more like a man's name than any other name that comes from a men's, more than Georgianna which is just like a magnolia blossom or Henrietta which most people change to Etta or Geraldine which nobody ever thinks of coming from a man's Irish name like Gerald.
A town in South Canterbury, New Zealand, named after the FitzGerald family
A town in DeKalb County, Alabama, United States
A small town in Chouteau County, Montana, United States
Translations
The name Geraldine has 14 translations, for example: in French it is rendered as female given name, etc..
More Info
How to Spell Geraldine in ASL
- G
- e
- r
- a
- l
- d
- i
- n
- e
Comments on the name Geraldine
Community CommentsShowing 5 of 29 comments
Abankeronly
Ginny and Ginnie could be nicknames.
Lord_lurtz5
The name Geraldine was given to 128 girls born in the US in 2015.
Markaveli_x
Princess Geraldine is the beautiful fictional character who is transformed into a mouse in the Uncle Remus story (adapted by Joel Chandler Harris) "The Mouse Princess".
Ur_bad_evil
Dodie Stevens (born Geraldine Ann Pasquale) is an American rock and traditional pop singer. She is best known for her 1959 song "Pink Shoe Laces." It debuted at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 when Stevens was one day short of 13 years old, and eventually peaked at number 3. "Pink Shoe Laces" has appeared in the game LittleBigPlanet 3 and the television show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Drakeking666
Geraldine Roman is a Filipino journalist and politician serving as the Representative of Bataan's 1st district since 2016. She is the first transgender person elected to the Congress of the Philippines. She was named as one of the 100 Leading Global Thinkers of 2016 by US-based Foreign Policy magazine; one of "13 Inspiring Women of 2016" list by Time magazine.