Choosing a name for your baby is a significant decision, one that often involves exploring meanings, origins, and popularity trends. The name Jerald offers a blend of classic appeal and subtle strength, making it a worthy contender for parents seeking a distinguished moniker for their son. Let’s delve into the essence of Jerald, examining its history, popularity, and potential alternatives.
(Image of a stylized "Jerald" in calligraphy, sourced from the provided URL, would be placed here if possible)
Jerald Name Popularity
How popular is the name Jerald? The data from the Social Security Administration (SSA) provides a fascinating glimpse into its historical usage. While it wasn’t recorded in the early 20th century (1910-1915), Jerald began to appear sporadically in the records from 1916.
The table below illustrates the popularity trends of the name Jerald based on data from SSA.gov:
| Year | Rank | # Births | % Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910-1915 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1916 | 1,055 | 11 | 0.0011% |
| 1917 | 1,003 | 15 | 0.0015% |
| 1918 | 823 | 29 | 0.0027% |
| 1919 | 918 | 22 | 0.0021% |
| 1920 | 1,162 | 12 | 0.0011% |
| 1921 | 876 | 27 | 0.0024% |
| 1922 | 658 | 61 | 0.0055% |
| 1923 | 898 | 26 | 0.0023% |
| 1924 | 810 | 35 | 0.003% |
| 1925 | 636 | 65 | 0.0058% |
| 1926 | 561 | 83 | 0.0075% |
| 1927 | 558 | 86 | 0.0078% |
| 1928 | 531 | 94 | 0.0088% |
| 1929 | 442 | 138 | 0.0133% |
| 1930 | 430 | 151 | 0.0145% |
| 1931 | 346 | 214 | 0.0217% |
| 1932 | 349 | 212 | 0.0215% |
| 1933 | 330 | 229 | 0.0246% |
| 1934 | 328 | 240 | 0.0248% |
| 1935 | 321 | 249 | 0.0256% |
| 1936 | 274 | 347 | 0.036% |
| 1937 | 268 | 372 | 0.0378% |
| 1938 | 267 | 388 | 0.0379% |
| 1939 | 248 | 431 | 0.0424% |
| 1940 | 239 | 470 | 0.0442% |
| 1941 | 226 | 538 | 0.0478% |
| 1942 | 220 | 628 | 0.0497% |
| 1943 | 229 | 599 | 0.0459% |
| 1944 | 246 | 514 | 0.0415% |
| 1945 | 252 | 485 | 0.0398% |
| 1946 | 265 | 531 | 0.036% |
| 1947 | 273 | 578 | 0.0346% |
| 1948 | 287 | 516 | 0.0323% |
| 1949 | 279 | 550 | 0.0342% |
| 1950 | 301 | 468 | 0.0291% |
| 1951 | 296 | 507 | 0.0299% |
| 1952 | 300 | 520 | 0.0298% |
| 1953 | 306 | 509 | 0.0288% |
| 1954 | 325 | 454 | 0.0248% |
| 1955 | 318 | 505 | 0.0275% |
| 1956 | 329 | 475 | 0.0251% |
| 1957 | 340 | 465 | 0.0242% |
| 1958 | 348 | 445 | 0.0235% |
| 1959 | 392 | 373 | 0.0196% |
| 1960 | 391 | 369 | 0.0195% |
| 1961 | 371 | 417 | 0.0221% |
| 1962 | 377 | 414 | 0.0226% |
| 1963 | 389 | 380 | 0.0212% |
| 1964 | 385 | 389 | 0.0221% |
| 1965 | 389 | 358 | 0.0219% |
| 1966 | 361 | 398 | 0.0255% |
| 1967 | 393 | 331 | 0.0218% |
| 1968 | 417 | 294 | 0.0196% |
| 1969 | 385 | 377 | 0.0245% |
| 1970 | 384 | 406 | 0.0255% |
| 1971 | 460 | 272 | 0.0181% |
| 1972 | 454 | 258 | 0.0189% |
| 1973 | 470 | 235 | 0.0181% |
| 1974 | 502 | 203 | 0.0156% |
| 1975 | 563 | 159 | 0.0124% |
| 1976 | 535 | 182 | 0.0141% |
| 1977 | 586 | 155 | 0.0115% |
| 1978 | 654 | 116 | 0.0086% |
| 1979 | 607 | 151 | 0.0107% |
| 1980 | 627 | 145 | 0.0099% |
| 1981 | 609 | 147 | 0.01% |
| 1982 | 651 | 127 | 0.0085% |
| 1983 | 667 | 115 | 0.0078% |
| 1984 | 824 | 70 | 0.0047% |
| 1985 | 767 | 87 | 0.0057% |
| 1986 | 777 | 88 | 0.0058% |
| 1987 | 883 | 66 | 0.0043% |
| 1988 | 739 | 117 | 0.0075% |
| 1989 | 775 | 114 | 0.0071% |
| 1990 | 815 | 108 | 0.0065% |
| 1991 | 913 | 87 | 0.0053% |
| 1992 | 867 | 97 | 0.0061% |
| 1993 | 1,047 | 64 | 0.0041% |
| 1994 | 1,040 | 67 | 0.0044% |
| 1995 | 1,370 | 33 | 0.0022% |
| 1996 | 1,044 | 69 | 0.0046% |
| 1997 | 1,463 | 30 | 0.002% |
| 1998 | 1,752 | 20 | 0.0013% |
| 1999 | 1,977 | 14 | 0.0009% |
| 2000 | 2,155 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 2001 | 1,292 | 51 | 0.0034% |
| 2002 | 1,693 | 25 | 0.0017% |
| 2003 | 1,696 | 28 | 0.0018% |
| 2004 | 1,988 | 18 | 0.0012% |
| 2005 | 1,921 | 21 | 0.0014% |
| 2006 | 2,276 | 12 | 0.0008% |
| 2007 | 2,087 | 18 | 0.0011% |
| 2008 | 2,048 | 19 | 0.0012% |
| 2009 | 2,306 | 12 | 0.0008% |
| 2010 | 2,587 | 7 | 0.0005% |
| 2011 | 2,208 | 13 | 0.0009% |
| 2012 | 2,425 | 10 | 0.0007% |
| 2013 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2014 | 2,713 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2015 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2016 | 2,699 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2017 | 2,301 | 11 | 0.0008% |
| 2018 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2019 | 2,649 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 2020-2023 | — | 0 | 0% |
As the data indicates, the name Jerald reached its peak popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly between the 1930s and 1970s. Since then, its usage has declined, making it a less common but potentially more unique choice for modern parents.
The Meaning and Origin of Jerald
While the provided data doesn’t explicitly state the meaning of Jerald, it is generally understood to be of German origin, derived from the name Gerald. The core element, "ger," signifies "spear," while "wald" means "rule" or "power." Therefore, Jerald, like Gerald, can be interpreted as "spear ruler" or "one who rules with the spear," conveying a sense of strength, leadership, and authority. This powerful meaning could be part of what drew parents to the name during its peak in popularity.
Names Similar to Jerald
If you appreciate the sound and feel of Jerald, you might also consider these related names:
Variants of Jerald:
- Jeraldo: An English variant of Jerald.
- Jerold: Another variant of Gerald, sharing the "spear ruler" meaning and German origin.
- Jerrald: A simple variation on the spelling of Jerald.
- Jerrold: Similar to Jerold, retaining the original meaning and origin.
Names That Sound Like Jerald:
- Geralde: While less common, this name shares a similar sound and the same "spear ruler" meaning.
- Geraldo: A more widely recognized name, also of German origin and meaning "spear ruler."
- Gerold: Another German option, directly related to Gerald and Jerald.
- Gerrald: A spelling variant of Gerold.
- Geryld: Another variation with the same root meaning.
Conclusion
Jerald is a strong, classic name with a rich history and a meaningful origin. While its popularity has waned in recent decades, this makes it a unique and distinguished choice for parents looking for something less common. Its connection to strength and leadership, combined with its appealing sound, makes Jerald a name worth considering.