Are Gerald And Gerard The Same Name?

In fact they aren't, although both are often shortened to Gerry, and historically people have often confused the two. The two names are of similar age and are both Old French names of Germanic origin, sharing an element derived from the word gar, or "spear." Gerald is also derived from the word wald, "rule." Gerard is based on the word hard, "brave, strong" (in modern German the name is Gerhard or Gerhardt.) Both names were brought to Britain by the Normans; in the early Middle Ages Gerard was a more common name than Gerald, but people often mixed up the two.

Today Gerald, while declining in popularity, is better known than Gerard (in English-speaking countries, that is; it continues to be popular in France, as in Gerard Depardieu.) The feminine form is Geraldine, a name coined in the 16th century to refer to a Lady Fitzgerald. The common pet form, Gerry, can be used for both sexes. The name Jerry can also be short for Gerald, but is usually taken from other names.