Gerard

Gender Masculine
Usage English, Dutch, Catalan, Polish
Pronounced Pron. ji-RAHRD(American English) JEHR-əd(British English) GHEH-rahrt(Dutch) zhə-RART(Catalan) GEH-rart(Polish)  [key·IPA]

Meaning & History

Derived from the Old German element ger meaning "spear" combined with hart meaning "hard, firm, brave, hardy". This name was borne by saints from Belgium, Germany, Hungary and Italy. The Normans introduced it to Britain. It was initially much more common there than the similar name Gerald [1], with which it was often confused, but it is now less common.

Related Names

VariantsGerrard, Jerrard(English) Gerhard, Gerrit(Dutch)
DiminutivesGeert, Gerd, Gerry, Gert(Dutch)
Feminine FormsGerarda, Gerry(Dutch)
Other Languages & CulturesGerhard, Cai, Gert, Kai, Kaj, Kay(Danish) Kai, Kaj(Finnish) Gérard(French) Gerrit, Jorrit, Jurryt, Jurre, Kai, Kay(Frisian) Gerhard, Gerd, Gerhardt, Gert, Hardy, Kai, Kay(German) Gerhard(Germanic) Gellért(Hungarian) Gearóid(Irish) Gerardo, Gherardo(Italian) Ģirts(Latvian) Sjra(Limburgish) Gerhard, Kai, Kaj, Kay(Norwegian) Gerardo(Spanish) Gerhard, Cai, Caj, Gert, Kai, Kaj, Kay(Swedish)
Same SpellingGérard

Popularity

People think this name is

classic   mature   formal   upper class   wholesome   strong   strange   serious   nerdy  

Name Days

Poland: January 30
Poland: April 23
Poland: September 24
Poland: October 3
Poland: October 16
Poland: November 24

Categories

astronomers, Atelier characters, authors, brave, Catholic saints, currently out of the US top 1000, Dishonored characters, fertility, footballers, Frasier characters, Fringe characters, Jerry, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts characters, Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest, poets, saints, scientists, Scottish actors, Shadow Hearts characters, strength, television, top 10 in Ireland, top 10 in the Isle of Man, war, warrior, weapons, world leaders, YouTubers

Sources & References

  1. Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges. A Dictionary of First Names. Oxford, 1990, page 133.
Entry updated December 7, 2022