UK name, mostly girls
Geri
A feminine diminutive of Germanic origin meaning "spear-bearer" or "spearman".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Geri is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Geri popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 14 births.
This profile covers 66 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 1997 to 2011. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, NRS Scotland and NISRA Northern Ireland, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 21% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 71 living people in the UK are called Geri. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2012 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Geri ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2011, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 14 girls were registered as Geri.
- • Geri ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #351 in 1998.
- • About 71 living people in the UK are estimated to have Geri as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 95.7% of Geri registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5785
2011
Births in 2011
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
14 births
Estimated living
71
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Geri
In England and Wales birth records, Geri has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 4.3% of registrations are for boys and 95.7% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Geri registered for boys
- Ranked #3,134 in 2001
- 3 boys registered in 2001
- Peak: 2001 (3 births)
Geri registered for girls
- Ranked #5,785 in 2011
- 3 girls registered in 2011
- Peak: 1997 (14 births)
Meaning
What does Geri mean?
The name Geri is a Germanic name with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old German word "gēr," which means "spear." The name was commonly used in various Germanic cultures, including the Saxons, Franks, and Goths.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Geri can be found in the Old Norse Poetic Edda, a collection of ancient Norse poems and stories. In the poem "Grímnismál," the name Geri is mentioned as one of the names of Odin, the chief god in Norse mythology. This association with a powerful deity suggests that the name held significance and respect in ancient Germanic societies.
During the Middle Ages, the name Geri gained popularity among the nobility and warrior classes. It was often given to sons who were expected to grow into brave and skilled fighters. In the epic poem "Nibelungenlied," written in the 13th century, there is a character named Gernot, which is a variant of Geri. This literary reference further solidifies the name's historical presence in Germanic culture.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Geri was Geri the Old, a Norwegian chieftain who lived in the 9th century. He was known for his leadership and bravery during the Viking Age, and his name is mentioned in the Icelandic sagas.
Another notable figure was Geri of Aurillac, a French nobleman and saint who lived in the 9th century. He was renowned for his piety and charitable works, establishing several monasteries and hospitals in the region of Auvergne.
In the 11th century, Geri the Powerful was a prominent German nobleman and military leader who fought alongside Emperor Henry IV during the Investiture Controversy. His exploits and loyalty to the emperor were recorded in contemporary chronicles.
During the 12th century, Geri of Regensburg was a prominent German scholar and theologian. He wrote several influential works on theology and philosophy, contributing to the intellectual discourse of the time.
In the 15th century, Geri Müller was a German artist and woodcarver known for his intricate religious sculptures and altarpieces. His work can be found in numerous churches and museums across Germany, showcasing his skill and artistry.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Geri over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Geri in England and Wales, from 1997 to 2011. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Geri, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2011, compared with 14 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Geri by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Geri was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5785 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3104 | 22 | 4 |
| 1990s | #1333 | 41 | 3 |
Geography
Where Geri is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Geri. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Geri ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #351 in 1998.
Across the UK
Geri in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#653 in 1997
1 years of NRS records, 3 total registered
Northern Ireland (NISRA)
#351 in 1998
1 years of NISRA records, 3 total registered
Notable bearers
Famous people named Geri
-
Geri Donnelly
association football player
association footballer
1965-
Related
Names similar to Geri
- Grace 79,208
- Georgia 48,838
- Gracie 18,387
- Georgina 15,599
- Gabriella 10,902
- Gemma 8,350
- Gabrielle 7,154
- Georgie 4,883
- Gabriela 3,300
- Genevieve 2,393
- Gracie-Mae 1,727
- Greta 1,283
FAQ
Geri: questions and answers
How popular is the name Geri in the UK right now?
In 2011, Geri was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Geri most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 14 babies registered as Geri in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Geri?
A feminine diminutive of Germanic origin meaning "spear-bearer" or "spearman".
How many people are called Geri in the UK?
A total of 66 babies have been registered as Geri across the 8 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 3 more in Scotland and 3 in Northern Ireland.
Where is Geri most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Geri ranks best in Northern Ireland, where it placed #351 in 1998. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.