Gerald
/ˈdʒɛr.əld/noun
A male given name of Germanic origin.
Did you know?Gerald comes from a Germanic compound built from the same ancient roots behind modern words for the spear and the staff of authority, so its original force was tied to warrior leadership.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*gaizaz + *waldaz
“"spear" + "rule, power"”
Old High German
OHG
Gerwald
“a personal name meaning "spear-ruler"”
Old French
OF
Geraud / Gérald
“borrowed and adapted Germanic personal name”
Middle English
English
Gerald
“male personal name”
Modern English
English
Gerald
“a male given name”