Geraldine
Geraldine is a girl name of Germanic, via English origin, meaning “Ruler with the spear”.
| Meaning | Ruler with the spear |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Germanic, via English |
| Pronunciation | JER-ul-deen |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic |
| Used in | Ireland, United Kingdom, United States |
Meaning and origin of Geraldine
Geraldine is a feminine form of Gerald, from the Germanic gar, 'spear', and wald, 'rule'. It was coined in the sixteenth century by the poet Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, whose verses to 'Fair Geraldine' referred to Lady Elizabeth FitzGerald, of the FitzGerald or Geraldine family. It became a popular girls' name in Ireland and elsewhere in the twentieth century.
Is Geraldine a religious name?
Geraldine has no religious background; it is a literary and aristocratic name.
How popular is Geraldine?
Most popular in the mid-twentieth century; rare for babies now.
Gifts with the name Geraldine
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Spellings and variants of Geraldine
Names similar to Geraldine
More girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Geraldine mean?
Geraldine means 'Ruler with the spear'. It is of Germanic, via English origin.
Does Geraldine have a religious meaning?
Geraldine has no religious background; it is a literary and aristocratic name.
How do you pronounce Geraldine?
Geraldine is pronounced JER-ul-deen.
Is Geraldine a boy or girl name?
Geraldine is usually a girl name.