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Home › Baby Names Directory › Jeri

Jeri

♀ Girl

Pronounced JAIR-ee /ˈdʒɛr.i/High

Meaning: A spelling of Gerry — a short form of Geraldine ('rule of the spear', from ger, 'spear', + wald, 'rule'); used for both sexes; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Rule of the spear: Jeri is a short form of Geraldine. Crisp, vintage, and warm. Used for both sexes.
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Origin LowGermanic
MeaningA spelling of Gerry — a short form of Geraldine ('rule of the spear', from ger, 'spear', + wald, 'rule'); used for both sexes; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#12474 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1957
Total births (all-time)≈ 22,639

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195719182025

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

Jeri is a spelling of Gerry — a short form of Geraldine ('rule of the spear', from ger, 'spear', + wald, 'rule'; routes layered, which we note). Used for both sexes, here for a girl (slug distinguished; said 'JAIR-ee').

In the U.S. it appears as a vintage short form. Rare, rule-of-the-spear at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Geraldine joins the Germanic ger, 'spear', and wald, 'rule', hence 'rule of the spear' — Jeri is a short form, crisp and vintage, used for both sexes (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'JAIR-ee').
Overall data confidence 28%
References — Geraldine — nickname; unisex; routes layered

Variations

GerryJerriJerrie

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Jeri…

Gerry— a source spelling
Geraldine— the source name
Amauri— lands in the same popularity range
Averi— another Germanic name
Wyatt— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Jeri

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Jeri mean?

Jeri is a short form of Geraldine — Germanic 'rule of the spear'; used for both sexes; here for a girl. The routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Jeri?

It's said JAIR-ee /dr.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Jeri a boy or girl name?

Jeri is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Jeri?

Jeri is a very rare name in the U.S.

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