Geralyn

Meaning of Geralyn

Geralyn is a feminine given name created as a modern variant of Geraldine, which itself derives from the Old Germanic elements ger (“spear”) and wald (“rule”), with the -yn ending streamlining it into a concise, two-syllable form. Pronounced JER-uh-lin (/dʒərəlɪn/), the name’s etymology conveys notions of leadership and authority. In Wisconsin between 1950 and 1965, Geralyn consistently ranked within the state’s top 200 girls’ names—peaking at number 126 in 1952 before gradually descending to number 158 by 1965—mirroring mid-century Anglo-American preferences for succinct variants of established names. Although its popularity has since waned, Geralyn’s precise phonetic profile and clear historical roots continue to appeal to parents seeking a name that balances heritage with modern simplicity.