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Gerold

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Gerold

Pronounced JER-uhld /ˈdʒɛr.əld/High

Meaning: Gerold is a Germanic variant of Gerald, from the elements ger, 'spear', and wald, 'rule' — 'rule of the spear' or 'spear-ruler'. The Gerold spelling preserves the older continental form.Medium

In 30 seconds: Gerold is a Germanic form of Gerald, meaning 'rule of the spear'. A quiet early-century boys' name, it crested in 1939.

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Origin MediumGermanic

MeaningGerold is a Germanic variant of Gerald, from the elements ger, 'spear', and wald, 'rule' — 'rule of the spear' or 'spear-ruler'. The Gerold spelling preserves the older continental form.

U.S. rank (2002)#7895 ↗ Rising

2002 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1939

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,965

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Gerold is a variant of Gerald, from the Germanic ger, 'spear', and wald, 'rule', meaning 'spear-ruler'. The form Gerold is the older German spelling, and it appears in United States records especially among German American families from the early twentieth century.

It reached its high point in 1939 and faded through the later century, with records thinning after the two-thousands. Gerold reads as a genuine early-to-mid-century heritage spelling worn by men now in old age; the standard Gerald endures, while Gerold is dated rather than revived.

Did you know? Gerold keeps the older continental shape of Gerald, a name carried to England by the Normans and back into fashion in America through German-heritage families.

Overall data confidence 75%

References — Gerold — Germanic form of Gerald 'spear-rule'; SSA peak 1939

Variations

GeraldGerardGerrold

Nicknames

GerryJerry

Famous Bearers

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If you like Gerold…

Gerald— the standard form Gerold varies

Gerard— a like Germanic Ger- name of the same root family

Harold— a same-era -old ending vintage name

Reinhold— another German-heritage boys' name of the period

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Gerold mean?

Gerold is a form of Gerald, from Germanic elements meaning 'rule of the spear'.

How do you pronounce Gerold?

It's said JER-uhld /ˈdʒɛr.əld/ — two syllables, stress on the first, like Gerald.

Is Gerold a boy or girl name?

Gerold is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Gerold?

Gerold was an uncommon heritage spelling that crested in the late nineteen-thirties and has been rare since; it has not revived.