Of Germanic origin.
Associated with the Old English name Gervald.
It means “ruler with the spear”.
From the word elements “ger”, meaning spear and “wald”, meaning rule, power.
Feminine form is Geraldine.
Other forms of the name are: Gerry, Geraldo, Jerald, Gerolt.
Famous bearers are Gerald Ford, Gerald McRaney, Gerald Green, Gerald Levert, Gerald Masters, Gerald Finzi.