Names That Mean Spear

While Corrigan is a widely-used Irish surname, a Corrigan or Korrigan is a fairy or sprite-like creature in Breton folklore. The Cornish word korrik means gnome. These creatures can be good or evil, male or female, but the important thing in Nameberry terms is that we love their name!

Probably related to Gilbert, from the same Germanic root: gisil, meaning "pledge" or "hostage". The Gis- syllable may also derive from Celtic gaiso "spear".

Danish form of the Old Norse Þórgeirr — Thorger is another variation.

This name will forever be associated with the Bard and would likely prove hard to live up to. It might be cool for a pet though.

This was a common name in early Ireland, borne by numerous saints, but pronunciation problems would make it prohibitive here.

An old-fashioned Slovene nickname for Gertruda — the Jerca variation is considered more stylish.

While not generally thought of as unisex, this is a male name that, like Perry and Barry, has occasionally been used for girls over the years.

After being one of the hot upscale surnames of the nineties, Garrett has left the Top 100 and this streamlined spelling is dawdling near the bottom of the Top 1000.

Clunky Gertrude is heading towards obscurity in the US, but here's a variation that might intrigue - Gesine, also spelled Gesina.

Derived from the Old Norse elements holmr "island" and geirr "spear". This is a widespread name in Scandinavia, and belonged to a legendary Danish hero, Holger Danske (Ogier the Dane). According to legend, Holger Danske was a fearsome warrior under Charlemagne, who never died but sleeps in the cellar of Kronborg Castle at Elsinore, ready to rise again if Denmark is ever in danger.

The C spelling of Corrigan relates more directly to the Irish surname, while the K spelling, Korrigan, relates to the sprites and fairies of Breton folklore.

Out-of-date for a boy, innovative for a girl.

The -ie spelling of Gerry or Geri feels slightly lighter and fresher, but long form Geraldine is still stuck in style limbo.

Predominantly male choice that nevertheless has a pretty sound and fashionable unisex feel.

Fresher diminutive form of Gertrud

While Korrigan or more usually Corrigan is a traditional Irish surname, in Breton folklore a Korrigan is a spritelike creature who often creates mischief.

Gearóidín is familiar to our Irish members, but is probably unseen outside the Emerald Isle. It would provide some steep challengers to people unfamiliar with Irish names, but since that hasn't stopped Saoirse, Niamh and Aoife, there's no reason to not pick this if it steals your heart. Some famous bearers of the name include Gearóidín Breathnach (Irish singer).

Medgar Evers was a civil rights activist and the NAACP's first field secretary in Mississippi in 1943. Both his bold first name or softer surname would make meaningful choices.

Jerca ultimately was derived from Gertruda, the Polish and Czech form of Gertrude. Jerca is currently in the Slovene Top 100.

You might want to honor premier U.S. architect Frank Gehry--even though he was born Ephraim Goldberg. Gehry, pronounced like the more common surname Geary, may be a spin on the name Gary, which means spear, or derive from the Middle English word geary, which means fickle.