Origin and Meaning of Jerry

Rules by the spear

Origin: English - Jerry is a diminutive of the name Gerald, which is derived from the Germanic elements 'ger' meaning 'spear' and 'wald' meaning 'rule'.

• Jerry became popular as both a standalone name and as a diminutive for Gerald, especially in the mid-20th century.
• In various cultures, Jerry has been embraced as a casual and friendly name, often associated with approachable and down-to-earth personalities.
• Notable bearers include Jerry Seinfeld, the famed comedian and actor, and Jerry Garcia, the lead guitarist of the Grateful Dead.
• The name Jerry experienced its peak popularity in the United States in the 1940s through the 1960s, often ranking among the top 100 names for boys.
• Variations of Jerry include Gerald, Jerrod, and Jerrad, reflecting different cultural and linguistic adaptations of the original name.