Geronimo

(born June 1829, No-Doyohn Canyon, Mex. — died Feb. 17, 1909, Fort Sill, Okla., U.S.) Chiricahua Apache
leader. In the 1870s Geronimo led a revolt of 4,000 Apaches who had
been forcibly removed by U.S. Authorities to a barren reservation in
east-central Arizona. Years of turmoil and bloodshed followed; Geronimo
finally surrendered in 1884, only to escape with a band of followers.
On a false promise of safe return to Arizona, Geronimo was arrested
(1886) and put to hard labour. He was later placed on a reservation at
Fort Sill, Okla.; there he dictated his autobiography, Geronimo: His Own Story.

Geronimo is a biographical name typically associated with Goyathlay Chiricahua (1829-1909) who was a prominent Apache leader. His non-Apache (English) nickname of "Gerónimo generally means psycho. There are conflicting theories regarding the origin of the same. Some are of the belief that his Spanish foes called out to for assistance Saint Jerome while they attacked or in the midst of a brutal defeat. Others are of the belief that it was the result of a transcription of Spanish efforts to pronounce Goyaałé and that he was given the name by friendly Mexican traders. His true Chiricahua name is Goyaałé for 'One Who Yawns'; frequently spelled as Goyathlay in English.

He is best known for fighting for more than 25 years against the encroachment of the people of the United States on tribal lands and people.

Geronimo is also a common an interjection shouted when jumping, particularly from high heights. There are a number of other people, places and things names Geronimo such as Geronimo Pratt, a human rights activist who was a former associate of the Black Panther Party Geronimo, Oklahoma; Geronimo the UK chart hit from The Shadows.