Updated October 2026
Across 5 pages
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Diminutive of Geraldine, feminine variation of Gerald, English and French
"ruler with the spear"
Boyish nicknames for girls -- like Charlie and Frankie -- are in fashion, but Geraldine is out. Jerri just might split the difference. Jerri Manthey is a polarizing three-time contestant on Survivor .
Irish form of Geraldine
"spear ruler"
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…
Danish
"spear of God"
It looks unfamiliar at first, but we think this strong Danish name is worthy of further consideration. It has a great meaning and is unusual without being a mouthful or too challenging. To us it…
French form of Berengaria
"bear spear"
Berangere has never seen much usage in the US, but it has an interesting meaning of "bear spear." The name it stems from—Berengaria—was used as a common royal name during the twelfth and thirteenth…
Latin
Berengaria was one of the medieval queens of England - married to Richard I (also known as Richard the Lionheart). She was originally from Navarre (in modern northern Spain) and despite being the…
German
"strength of a spear"
Clunky Gertrude is heading towards obscurity in the US, but here's a variation that might intrigue - Gesine, also spelled Gesina. Gesine comes from the same roots - Geretrudis - and shares the name's…
"warrior fighting with a spear"
Last-name-first-name with a romantic but dangerous edge.
Gaelic
"little spear"
Somewhat reminiscent of the better known Beccan, this is an Irish saints' name – there were no fewer than five St. Bercans, as well as a noted manuscript artist called Bercanus. In Ireland, it is…
Nordic and German
"island spear"
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…
Variation of Geary, Irish or English
"spear or fickle"
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…
English
"brandish spear"
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.
Persian
"short spear"
This is most familiar here as a musical name, via Indian Parsi conductor Zubin Mehta, but it certainly could be used by others.
"bright pledge or spear"
Probably related to Gilbert, from the same Germanic root: gisil , meaning "pledge" or "hostage". The Gis- syllable may also derive from Celtic gaiso "spear".
French
"skilled with a spear"
Unusual saint's name rarely heard outside Roman Catholic rectories until it made an appearance on a reality-TV show; has an attractive French feel. Gervase is a common spelling variation.
Irish
This was a common name in early Ireland, borne by numerous saints, but pronunciation problems would make it prohibitive here.
English, German
The -ie spelling of Gerry or Geri feels slightly lighter and fresher, but long form Geraldine is still stuck in style limbo.
"lucky spear"
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.
Swedish
"Thor's spear"
Old Norse
"Finn's spear"