Boy name · Germanic
Gerard
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: brave spearGerard is a boy's name that comes from Germanic and means "brave spear". It is used in English, Dutch and French.
- Meaning
- Brave spear
- Origin
- Germanic
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #1713 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Gerard
As a boy's name, Gerard comes from Germanic and means "brave spear". It is used in English, Dutch and French. In French it is spelled Gérard.
In French, say zhay-RAR. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Gerard is also a surname: the 3,911th most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 8,806 people. See the most common last names.
Its meaning puts Gerard on our names that mean strong list.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Gerard on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Gerard on 4 lists.
“Brave spear; Germanic. Say zhay-RAR”
From French boy names, retro French male names from the 1950s to the 1970s
“Brave spear; Germanic, brought to England by the Normans”
From Names that mean strong, names that mean brave
“Brave spear; Germanic. Brought to Britain by the Normans”
From Names that mean warrior, names that mean spear, sword or arrow
“Brave spear; Germanic, a saint and patron of mothers”
From Strong boy names, boy names that mean brave or bold
How popular is Gerard?
- US rank in 2025
- #1,713
- 95 babies, 56 per million boys
- Best rank
- #177 in 1954
- Most babies: 1,617 in 1956
- Babies since 1886
- At least 58,820
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 13 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 53 per million |
| 1900s | 158 per million |
| 1910s | 401 per million |
| 1920s | 498 per million |
| 1930s | 502 per million |
| 1940s | 546 per million |
| 1950s | 703 per million |
| 1960s | 485 per million |
| 1970s | 243 per million |
| 1980s | 179 per million |
| 1990s | 122 per million |
| 2000s | 67 per million |
| 2010s | 87 per million |
| 2020s | 68 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,186 | #1,166 | #1,241 | #1,480 | #1,456 | #1,483 | #1,428 | #1,409 | #1,534 | #1,713 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Gerard
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- GerardoBrave spear (Germanic, boy)
- GerdBrave spear (Germanic, boy)
- GerhardBrave spear (Germanic, boy)
- GerritBrave spear (Germanic, boy)
Names spelled like Gerard
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- GeraldPower of the spear (Germanic, boy)
- GebhardGift and brave (Germanic, boy)
- GeraldoSpear rule (Germanic, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- AmeliaPossibly vigorous, brave (Germanic, girl)
- EdgarWealthy spear (Old English, boy)
- LeonardoBrave lion (Germanic, boy)
- RicardaBrave ruler (Germanic, girl)
- AndreaManly, brave (Greek, girl)
- AndreasManly, brave (Greek, boy)
- BahadurBrave, valiant (Turkic, boy)
- BernadetteBrave bear (Germanic, girl)
- BernardBrave bear (Germanic, boy)
- BernardoBrave bear (Germanic, boy)
Middle names for Gerard
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Germanic
- HugoHeart, mind (Germanic, boy)
- LiamShort for William, will helmet (Germanic, boy)
- RobertBright fame (Germanic, boy)
- LambertBright land (Germanic, boy)
- AlaricRuler of all (Germanic, boy)
- AlbertNoble and bright (Germanic, boy)
- AlbertoNoble and bright (Germanic, boy)
- ArmandoArmy man (Germanic, boy)
- ArnoEagle (Germanic, boy)
- ArnoldEagle power (Germanic, boy)
Gerard: common questions
What does the name Gerard mean?
Gerard comes from Germanic and means "brave spear".
Is Gerard a boy or girl name?
Gerard is mainly a boy's name.
Where does the name Gerard come from?
Gerard comes from Germanic and means "brave spear". Today it is used in English, Dutch and French.
How popular is the name Gerard?
Gerard ranked #1,713 in the US in 2025, with 95 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Gerard?
Forms of Gerard with the same meaning and origin include Gerardo (Spanish), Gerd (German), Gerhard (German) and Gerrit (Dutch).
What middle names go with Gerard?
Middle names that flow well with Gerard include Eli, Ethan, Finn, Heath and John. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.