Jearld
A boy's name of German origin with 547 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Jearld peaked during the pre-war decades, when 29 babies received this name in a single year (1941). That era was defined by elegant, traditional naming, and Jearld has since stepped out of the spotlight, giving it a vintage quality that many parents now find appealing.
Jearld is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Jearld is a boy's baby name of Germanic origin, a variant spelling of Gerald, from the Old German Gerwald or Gerold, combining ger (spear) and wald (rule), meaning 'spear ruler' or 'ruler with the spear.'
Jearld's spelling shifts the familiar Gerald into a more phonetically distinctive form, giving an established name an unusual look that makes it feel simultaneously traditional and unexpected. It carries Gerald's long Germanic lineage in a written form that turns heads.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Jearld belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At one syllable, it has a punchy, memorable cadence that makes an immediate impression.
Within the German naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring German names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Jearld’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Jearld has 49+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1920.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 6 | #5816 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 22 | #4283 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 70 | #3400 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 125 | #2402 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 160 | #1913 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 118 | #2529 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 46 | #3489 | — |
The Story of Jearld
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1941, Jearld is an elegant vintage name. Boys named Jearld are most likely born between 1931 and 1951.
How rare is Jearld?
With 547 total births on record, Jearld remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1920, peaked in the 1940s with 160 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Jearld by the numbers
- Would fill 11 school buses
- Meeting one Jearld per day would take 1.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(49 years, 1920–1983)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 6 | #5816 |
| 1974 | 5 | #5569 |
| 1971 | 10 | #3251 |
| 1970 | 7 | #4029 |
| 1969 | 7 | #3755 |
| 1968 | 5 | #4407 |
| 1967 | 6 | #3742 |
| 1966 | 7 | #3367 |
| 1965 | 5 | #4169 |
| 1963 | 10 | #2758 |
| 1962 | 8 | #3165 |
| 1961 | 12 | #2473 |
| 1960 | 10 | #2764 |
| 1959 | 11 | #2592 |
| 1958 | 12 | #2432 |
| 1957 | 11 | #2554 |
| 1956 | 10 | #2708 |
| 1955 | 15 | #2089 |
| 1954 | 15 | #2078 |
| 1953 | 10 | #2614 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jearld a boy's or girl's name?
When was Jearld most popular?
How popular is the name Jearld?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1920–1983