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Gerald (M)>

Gerald (male)

Variants:Gearalt (M) Gearòid (M) Gerallt (M) Géraud (M) Gerhold (M) Gerolt (M) Giraldo (M) Giraldus (M)
Pet Name(s):Ged (M) Gerry (M) Jed (M) Jerry (M)
Derivative(s):Garret (M)
Can be spelt:Gerrald (M) Gerrold (M) Jerald (M) Jerold (M) Jerrold (M)
Feminine form:Geraldine (F)
   
Source(s): English Parish Register freereg.rootsweb.com
The Oxford Names Companion, OUP
"Scottish Forenames" - Donald Whyte, FGH, FSG
Notes:

English and Irish from Old German "spear wielder" [Whyte] or "strong spear" [ONC]. The French form has an accent: Gérald [see also Géraud].

Introduced into England by the Normans at the same time as Gerard which has a similar but different origin. Since its revival 19th century, Gerald has been the more popular but not exclusively so.

In old documents, written in Latin, Giraldus was used for Gerald, with appropriate case endings.