Jerry

Jerry is a masculine given name and, less commonly, a surname. In contemporary use, it is most often a diminutive form of Gerald or Jeremiah, and occasionally of Gerard or other names. As a standalone given name it is used in many English-speaking countries and can also function as a familiar form of longer names.

Gerald derives from Germanic elements ger (spear) and wald (power, rule), historically meaning “ruler with a spear” or “spear-wielding ruler.” Jeremiah comes from Hebrew Yirmiyahu, meaning “Yahweh will exalt” or “the Lord will uplift.” The nickname Jerry (and Gerry) developed in the 19th and early 20th centuries as a familiar form of these names.

Jerry is predominantly male in modern usage, though in some cases it may be used as a female given name (often spelled Gerry). Variants include Gerry, Jeri, and Jerry as a formal given name in its own right. The name has been borne by many notable figures in entertainment, sports, and politics.

Notable people named Jerry include the American comedian Jerry Seinfeld; comedian and actor Jerry Lewis; musician Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead; Hall of Fame football player Jerry Rice; and television host Jerry Springer. In fiction, the name appears for example as Jerry, the clever mouse in Tom and Jerry, and as Jerry Smith, a character in the animated series Rick and Morty.