Fun Facts About the Name Fitzgerald
- More than 1 thousand babies named Fitzgerald: U.S. records list 1,941 babies given the name Fitzgerald from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Fitzgerald Mean?
Fitzgerald is a surname of Anglo-Norman origin, used in England and Ireland, meaning 'son of Gerald.' It is a patronymic formed from the Anglo-Norman French prefix Fitz-, from Old French filz (Modern French fils), ultimately from Latin filius, 'son,' and the Norman personal name Gerald, from Germanic elements meaning 'spear' and 'rule' or 'ruler.' In medieval England and Ireland, Fitz- was a common patronymic prefix that originally meant simply 'son of'; a later and narrower English use attached it to the illegitimate sons of kings, as in Fitzroy, but that is not the source of Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald Name History & Origins
The surname began as a byname: Maurice fitz Gerald meant 'Maurice, son of Gerald.' Gerald in this case was Gerald de Windsor, a Norman lord in Wales and constable of Pembroke Castle. His son Maurice FitzGerald (died 1176) took part in the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169 and received lands there. His descendants made Fitzgerald a hereditary surname and became one of Ireland's leading Anglo-Norman families. Branches included the FitzGeralds of Kildare, who later held the title Duke of Leinster, and the FitzGeralds of Desmond. In Irish, the family name was rendered Mac Gearailt, 'son of Gerald,' using the Gaelic patronymic Mac instead of Fitz-.
As a given name, Fitzgerald is a transferred use of the surname. It appears in English-speaking countries as a masculine first or middle name. The American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald is a well-known bearer of the surname, but this is a modern literary association, separate from the name's medieval origin.
How Popular is the Name Fitzgerald?
Fitzgerald recorded its highest annual U.S. birth count in 1964. Its best rank was #690 in 1964.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #2,427 | 56 | 0.0033% |
| 2024 | #2,239 | 64 | 0.0037% |
| 2023 | #2,253 | 63 | 0.0037% |
| 2022 | #2,062 | 73 | 0.0042% |
| 2021 | #1,714 | 95 | 0.0054% |
| 2020 | #1,900 | 78 | 0.0045% |
| 2019 | #1,701 | 93 | 0.0052% |
| 2018 | #1,609 | 102 | 0.0056% |
| 2017 | #1,822 | 82 | 0.0044% |
| 2016 | #1,775 | 86 | 0.0045% |
| 2015 | #1,987 | 73 | 0.0038% |
| 2014 | #2,306 | 57 | 0.0030% |
| 2013 | #3,608 | 29 | 0.0015% |
| 2012 | #6,748 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2011 | #9,975 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2010 | #7,765 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2008 | #8,518 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 2007 | #9,168 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2006 | #8,972 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2005 | #12,016 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2004 | #7,152 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2003 | #8,967 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2002 | #7,228 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2001 | #8,604 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2000 | #7,685 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1999 | #8,141 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1998 | #7,851 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1997 | #5,780 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1996 | #6,158 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1995 | #5,258 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1994 | #4,614 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1993 | #4,534 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1992 | #4,185 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 1991 | #3,708 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 1990 | #3,361 | 18 | 0.0009% |
| 1989 | #3,362 | 17 | 0.0008% |
| 1988 | #3,409 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1987 | #2,501 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 1986 | #3,044 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 1985 | #2,991 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 1984 | #2,252 | 23 | 0.0013% |
| 1983 | #3,123 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1982 | #3,359 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1981 | #3,089 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1980 | #3,934 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1979 | #4,559 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1978 | #3,116 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1977 | #3,460 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 1976 | #3,346 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 1975 | #3,306 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 1974 | #1,850 | 25 | 0.0016% |
| 1973 | #2,256 | 18 | 0.0012% |
| 1972 | #2,104 | 19 | 0.0012% |
| 1971 | #1,837 | 24 | 0.0014% |
| 1970 | #1,443 | 34 | 0.0018% |
| 1969 | #1,694 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 1968 | #2,055 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 1967 | #1,421 | 29 | 0.0017% |
| 1966 | #1,140 | 43 | 0.0024% |
| 1965 | #971 | 58 | 0.0031% |
| 1964 | #690 | 125 | 0.0063% |
| 1963 | #1,061 | 52 | 0.0026% |
| 1962 | #2,729 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1961 | #1,659 | 24 | 0.0011% |
| 1955 | #4,049 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1953 | #4,003 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1948 | #3,860 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1944 | #3,233 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1942 | #3,337 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1929 | #4,181 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1928 | #3,482 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1924 | #3,342 | 8 | 0.0007% |
| 1922 | #4,532 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1919 | #4,393 | 5 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Fitzgerald Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are kind, home-loving, hospitable and friendly. Since you take responsibility well, you are a good organizer of social affairs. Compassion for others is an outstanding trait. You are a great lover and a great flirt – an artist, musician, actor, teacher, nurse. Your character can be contradictory. You are practical, yet idealistic and intuitive; capable of selfless devotion to someone you love, yet look to receive payback. You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Fitzgerald's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Fitzgerald's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.