Gérard

Gérard is a masculine given name of French origin, derived from the Germanic elements ger meaning spear and hard meaning brave or hardy. It arose in medieval France and remains common in French-speaking countries today. The name is typically written with an acute accent on the e in French, but forms without the accent (Gerard) appear in other languages and contexts.

International variants include Gerard in English and Dutch, Gerardus in Latinized form, and Gerardo in Spanish and Italian. The name has been borne by many notable figures in arts, science, and public life, reflecting its long-standing usage across various cultures.

Prominent individuals named Gérard include the actors Gérard Depardieu (born 1948) and Gérard Philipe (1922–1959); the actor and comedian Gérard Darmon (born 1948); the poet and writer Gérard de Nerval (1808–1855); the literary theorist Gérard Genette (1930–2018); the economist Gérard Debreu (1921–2004); and the physicist and Nobel laureate Gérard Mourou (born 1947). The name is closely associated with French-language culture, and its usage extends to other Francophone regions as well as to places where French influence has been historically significant.