Gerald
Every Gerald since 1880 — 451,351 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Gerald
Gerald is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,206 in 2025 with 168 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 451,351 American babies have been named Gerald. Its peak came in 1942, when 11,521 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Gerald stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Gerald year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 168 | #1,206 |
| 2024 | — | — | 178 | #1,171 |
| 2023 | — | — | 213 | #1,029 |
| 2022 | — | — | 206 | #1,066 |
| 2021 | — | — | 217 | #1,012 |
| 2020 | — | — | 230 | #955 |
| 2019 | — | — | 245 | #892 |
| 2018 | — | — | 242 | #895 |
| 2017 | — | — | 271 | #825 |
| 2016 | — | — | 284 | #810 |
| 2015 | — | — | 312 | #765 |
| 2014 | — | — | 281 | #810 |
| 2013 | — | — | 329 | #715 |
| 2012 | — | — | 346 | #684 |
| 2011 | — | — | 373 | #628 |
| 2010 | — | — | 348 | #679 |
| 2009 | — | — | 396 | #630 |
| 2008 | — | — | 415 | #604 |
| 2007 | — | — | 472 | #544 |
| 2006 | — | — | 465 | #545 |
| 2005 | — | — | 472 | #520 |
| 2004 | — | — | 552 | #463 |
| 2003 | — | — | 529 | #474 |
| 2002 | — | — | 556 | #444 |
| 2001 | — | — | 609 | #411 |
| 2000 | — | — | 680 | #382 |
| 1995 | — | — | 889 | #299 |
| 1990 | — | — | 1,451 | #212 |
| 1985 | 14 | #5,154 | 1,446 | #181 |
| 1980 | 17 | #4,390 | 1,819 | #148 |
| 1975 | 16 | #4,004 | 2,398 | #108 |
| 1970 | 43 | #1,963 | 4,399 | #67 |
| 1965 | 38 | #1,870 | 5,252 | #64 |
| 1960 | 36 | #1,902 | 6,571 | #62 |
| 1955 | 32 | #1,893 | 8,072 | #48 |
| 1950 | 40 | #1,461 | 9,726 | #34 |
| 1945 | 36 | #1,340 | 8,857 | #25 |
| 1940 | 43 | #1,104 | 10,236 | #21 |
| 1935 | 48 | #999 | 8,458 | #21 |
| 1930 | 40 | #1,184 | 6,483 | #30 |
| 1925 | 39 | #1,259 | 4,507 | #45 |
| 1920 | 21 | #1,912 | 3,157 | #64 |
| 1915 | 8 | #3,244 | 2,085 | #78 |
| 1910 | 5 | #2,559 | 289 | #105 |
| 1905 | — | — | 189 | #113 |
| 1900 | — | — | 157 | #140 |
| 1895 | — | — | 76 | #193 |
| 1890 | — | — | 44 | #258 |
| 1885 | — | — | 23 | #368 |
| 1880 | — | — | 11 | #586 |
Famous people named Gerald
- Gerald Ford Politician · 1913–2006
- Gerald Durrell Social activist · 1925–1995
- Gerald Edelman Biologist · 1929–2014
- Gerald Gardner Writer · 1884–1964
- Gerald Bull Inventor · 1928–1990
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Gerald in 2025?
Gerald ranked #1,206 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 168 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Gerald?
451,351 babies have been named Gerald in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Gerald most popular?
Gerald peaked in 1942, when 11,521 newborns received the name.
Is Gerald a boy or girl name?
Gerald is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Gerald rising or falling?
Gerald is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Gerald?
Well-known people named Gerald include Gerald Ford (politician), Gerald Durrell (social activist), Gerald Edelman (biologist).