Gerald m.
From the Old German, meaning ‘spear rule’. It was used in England from the 11th to the 12th century and was probably introduced by the Normans. The name flourished in Ireland due to the influence of the Fitzgerald (‘Sons of Gerald’) family, the powerful rulers of Kildare. It was probably from Ireland that the name returned to England in the late 19th century. Shortened forms are Ger, Gerry and Jerry.
Geraldine f.
Geraldine started life as a poetic nickname used by the 16th-century Earl of Surrey, in a poem praising the beauty of Lady Elizabeth Fitzgerald. Geraldine therefore means ‘one of the Fitzgeralds’. It shares short forms with GERALD.
Gerard m.
From the Old German, meaning ‘spear-brave’. It was brought to Britain by Norman settlers and was very common in the Middle Ages. The surnames Gerrard and Garret(t) are derived from it, and these were the most common medieval pronunciations of the name, although it is not always possible to distinguish between forms of Gerard and GERALD. Ger, Gerry and Jerry are its short forms.
Germaine f.
Several early saints bore this name, which probably indicated someone who came from Germany, in the way that FRANCIS indicated a Frenchman. Germaine is little used in English-speaking countries, but has been made well known by the writer and academic Germaine Greer. Jermain(e) is a form of the French Germain, which is quite popular in the USA, and is also found as Jermyn.
Gerry see Gerald, Geraldine, Gerard
Gertrude f.
From the Old German for ‘strong spear’. The name came to Britain in the Middle Ages from the Netherlands, where a saint of that name was popular. It was much used in the 19th and earlier 20th centuries, but is not often chosen by parents now. Pet forms are Gert or Gertie, and Trudi, Trudie or Trudy come from a German pet form of the name.
Gervais, Gervase m.
From the Old German meaning ‘spear vassal’ or ‘armour bearer’. The name was first used among English churchmen of the 12th-century in honour of the 1st-century martyr St Gervase. It spread to the general public, giving rise to the surname Jarvis. Gervais is the French spelling.
Geunor see Jennifer
Ghislaine f.
This is an Old French name, related to GISELLE and meaning ‘pledge, hostage’. It has only come to be used in Britain comparatively recently. It is also found in the forms Ghislane and Ghislain, although in France this last form is used for boys. It is pronounced with a hard ‘g’ and the ‘s’ is silent.
Gianna f.
A short form of the Italian name Giovanna, feminine of Giovanni, or JOHN. Use of Gianna is currently increasing in the USA. Other short forms of Giovanna include Gina, Giannina and Vanna.
Gib see Gilbert
Gideon m.
From the Hebrew, now generally thought to mean ‘having a stump for a hand’, although the traditional translation was ‘a hewer’. It is the name of an Old Testament Israelite leader who put the forces of the Midianites to flight. The name was adopted at the Reformation and was a favourite among the Puritans who took it to North America where it is still in use.
Gigi f.
This name became well known in 1958, when the novel Gigi by the French writer Colette was made into a successful musical film. In the book Gigi is the pet form of Gilberte, the French feminine form of GILBERT.
Gilbert m.
From the Old German meaning ‘bright hostage’. The Normans brought the name to England and it was common in medieval times, when St Gilbert of Sempringham (died 1189) was much admired. Shortened forms are Gib, Gilly, BERT and Bertie.
Giles m.
According to legend, St Giles was an Athenian who took his name, Aegidius, from the goatskin that he wore. He left Greece in order to escape the fame that his miracles had brought him, and became a hermit in France. There the name became Gilles. The name is first recorded in England in the 12th century, but it was not popular. It has been suggested that this may be because of St Giles’s association with beggars and cripples, of whom he is the patron saint. However, recent years have seen an increase in its popularity. It is sometimes spelt Gyles.
Gillian f.
This name, which is an English rendering of the Latin name JULIANA, was so common in the Middle Ages that its short form, Gill, was used as a general term for a girl, as Jack was for a man. It was revived in the 20th century and once again became very popular. A variant form is Jillian, and Jill, the abbreviated form, is now given as an independent name. Jilly is also found.
Gilly see Gilbert
Gina f.
A short form of such names as GEORGINA and Regina (see QUEENIE), now used as an independent name. In France, Gina and Ginette are pet forms of GENEVIEVE and it is also a short form of the Italian GIANNA. Geena is also found.
Ginette see Genevieve, Gina
Gini, Ginny see Virginia
Giovanna, Giovanni see Gianna
Giselle f.
From the Old German meaning a ‘pledge’ or ‘hostage’. Gisèle has for a long time been a common French name, and the English form Giselle and the latinised Gisela have been used in Britain (see also GHISLAINE).
Gita f.
An Indian name from the Sanskrit meaning ‘song’. Geeta is a popular alternative spelling.
Giulia, Giulietta see Julia
Gladys f.
This is the anglicised form of Gwladys, which means ‘ruler’. It is recorded in Wales as early as the 5th century, but only moved into the mainstream of names in the 19th century. In the earlier part of the 20th century it was very popular, but in recent decades it has become less fashionable. It is often shortened to Glad.
Glen(n), Glyn(n) f. and m.
These are both forms of Celtic words for ‘a valley’. In the last forty years they have become popular names throughout the English-speaking world. Glenna and Glenne are also found for girls.
Glenda f.
This is a Welsh name meaning ‘holy and good’.
Glenys f.
From the Welsh meaning ‘holy’. It is spelt in a variety of ways, including Glen(n)is, Glennys and Glenice (see also GLYNIS).
Gloria f.
This is Latin for ‘glory’ or ‘fame’. The name seems to have been coined by George Bernard Shaw (1889) in his play You Never Can Tell. It was very common in the first half of the 20th century.
Glyn(n) see Glen
Glynis f.
From the Welsh for ‘a little valley’, and thus related to GLEN and Glyn. It can be spelt Glinys, and is often confused with GLENYS.
Gobind see Govind
Godfrey m.
From the Old German meaning ‘God’s peace’. It was brought to Britain by the Normans.
Gopal m.
This Indian name can be taken to mean ‘a devotee of Krishna’. It derives from the Sanskrit words meaning ‘cow-protector’, indicating a cowherd, but the name was applied to Krishna in medieval devotional texts. In southern India the name is sometimes given as Gopalkrishna.
Gordon m.
Originally