Geronimo Boy

Popularity: #906 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: jeh-ROH-nee-moh /hɛˈɹɒnɪmoʊ/

Origin: Spanish; Native American (Apache)

Meaning: Spanish: 'he who yawns'; Native American: 'the one who is brave'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Geronimo is derived from the Spanish form of the Latin name Hieronymus, which itself comes from the Greek name Hierōnymos, meaning "sacred name" or "holy name." The Greek components are 'hieros' (sacred) and 'onoma' (name). The name was introduced into the Spanish language through the Latin influence during the Middle Ages, particularly as Christianity spread throughout Europe.

Geronimo became a popular name among Spanish speakers, especially in the context of religious figures and saints, including Saint Jerome, who is known for his translation of the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate) in the late 4th century. Historically, the name Geronimo is most famously associated with the Apache leader Goyahkla, who was given the name Geronimo by Mexican soldiers in the 19th century.

He became a prominent figure in the resistance against the United States' expansion into Apache territory during the 1880s and 1890s. His legacy is marked by his fierce defense of his people's land and rights, and he has become a symbol of Native American resistance.

The name gained further recognition through various cultural representations, including literature and film, which often portray Geronimo as a heroic figure. Culturally, the name Geronimo carries connotations of bravery and defiance, reflecting the historical struggles of Indigenous peoples in North America.

The name has been adopted in various contexts, including military operations and popular culture, where it symbolizes courage and the fight against oppression. The diminutive form "Gerry" is sometimes used, although it is less historically significant.

Overall, Geronimo's enduring resonance stems from its association with a pivotal figure in American history and the broader themes of resistance and identity.

Famous people named Geronimo

In this section, you will find notable people named Geronimo. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Geronimo who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Geronimo who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Geronimo is a leader of the Apache tribe best known for his resistance against Mexico and Texas for their expansion into Apache tribal lands.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Geronimo, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

DiegoMateoSantiagoJavierLuisAlejandro

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Geronimo. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

JeremiahHiramGideonElijahJosiahZachariahMalachi

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Geronimo was first seen in the United States in 1906.

Geronimo has ranked as high as #5340 nationally, which occurred in 2009, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Florida, New York, and Arizona.

In the past 5 years the name Geronimo has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Geronimo is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Geronimo was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Geronimo.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 32 32
2024 34 34
2023 31 31
2022 36 36
2021 43 43
2020 41 41
2019 50 50
2018 33 33
2017 39 39
2016 50 50
2015 46 46
2014 32 32
2013 39 39
2012 54 54
2011 39 39
2010 28 28
2009 55 55
2008 44 44
2007 44 44
2006 42 42
2005 53 53
2004 34 34
2003 34 34
2002 41 41
2001 47 47
2000 44 44
1999 40 40
1998 44 44
1997 42 42
1996 38 38
1995 44 44
1994 37 37
1993 18 18
1992 33 33
1991 36 36
1990 34 34
1989 22 22
1988 29 29
1987 29 29
1986 27 27
1985 28 28
1984 29 29
1983 25 25
1982 44 44
1981 41 41
1980 37 37
1979 40 40
1978 34 34
1977 41 41
1976 36 36
1975 36 36
1974 33 33
1973 31 31
1972 31 31
1971 33 33
1970 27 27
1969 25 25
1968 26 26
1967 16 16
1966 18 18
1965 21 21
1964 17 17
1963 16 16
1962 25 25
1961 30 30
1960 26 26
1959 23 23
1958 22 22
1957 18 18
1956 21 21
1955 16 16
1954 20 20
1953 25 25
1952 22 22
1951 19 19
1950 22 22
1949 18 18
1948 23 23
1947 20 20
1946 11 11
1945 15 15
1944 23 23
1943 14 14
1942 10 10
1941 16 16
1940 9 9
1939 11 11
1938 14 14
1937 14 14
1936 17 17
1935 10 10
1934 10 10
1933 6 6
1932 20 20
1931 14 14
1930 13 13
1929 22 22
1928 26 26
1927 18 18
1926 18 18
1925 22 22
1924 23 23
1923 22 22
1922 18 18
1921 15 15
1920 10 10
1919 19 19
1917 6 6
1916 6 6
1915 10 10
1914 9 9
1913 15 15
1912 8 8
1911 6 6
1907 7 7
1906 5 5

Top States for Geronimo (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 7
41%
CA 5
29%
FL 5
29%