Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Girard
Girard
How to Pronounce Girard
Pronounced juh-RARD /dΚΙΛrΙrd/Medium
Meaning: Girard is a French form and surname of Gerard, from Germanic 'ger' ('spear') and 'hard' ('brave, strong') β 'brave with the spear'. It entered American use as both a heritage first name and a surname-name.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Girard is the French rendering of Gerard, built from the Germanic elements ger, 'spear', and hard, 'brave' or 'hardy' β a warrior's name meaning 'brave with the spear'. It doubles as a common French surname, and American families used it in both senses.
It saw modest use through the early 1900s, peaking around 1926, and reads today as a dignified, faintly old-world choice. A man named Girard would often be of a grandparent-or-older generation, and the sound stays close to Gerard and Jerard.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Girardβ¦
Explore names like Girard
Frequently Asked
What does the name Girard mean?
Girard is a French variant of Gerard, meaning 'brave with the spear'.
How do you pronounce Girard?
It's said juh-RARD /dΚΙΛrΙrd/ β two syllables, stress on the second.
Is Girard a boy or girl name?
Girard is used as a boy's name.
How popular is Girard?
Girard has always been uncommon in the U.S., a French variant of Gerard.