Names That Mean Spear

Originally a short form of names beginning with either of the elements gêr "spear" or gisil "pledge, hostage". Now usually a short form of Gertrud.

While not generally thought of as unisex, this is a male name that, like Perry and Barry, has occasionally been used for girls over the years.

Berengaria was one of the medieval queens of England - married to Richard I (also known as Richard the Lionheart). She was originally from Navarre (in modern northern Spain) and despite being the Queen of England, she only lived in England after her husband had died. Despite its royal roots, Berengaria is one of the less attractive medieval names, although it gets points for having an unusually strong meaning for a feminine name.

Last-name-first-name with a romantic but dangerous edge.

Unusual saint's name rarely heard outside Roman Catholic rectories until it made an appearance on a reality-TV show; has an attractive French feel.

More popular among German Shepherds than baby boys.

Clunky Gertrude is heading towards obscurity in the US, but here's a variation that might intrigue - Gesine, also spelled Gesina.

Variation of Gertrude.

After being one of the hot upscale surnames of the nineties, Garrett has left the Top 100 and this streamlined spelling is dawdling near the bottom of the Top 1000.

Danish form of the Old Norse Þórgeirr — Thorger is another variation.

Berangere has never seen much usage in the US, but it has an interesting meaning of "bear spear." The name it stems from—Berengaria—was used as a common royal name during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

You might want to honor premier U.S. architect Frank Gehry--even though he was born Ephraim Goldberg. Gehry, pronounced like the more common surname Geary, may be a spin on the name Gary, which means spear, or derive from the Middle English word geary, which means fickle.

Derived from the Old Norse elements holmr "island" and geirr "spear". This is a widespread name in Scandinavia, and belonged to a legendary Danish hero, Holger Danske (Ogier the Dane). According to legend, Holger Danske was a fearsome warrior under Charlemagne, who never died but sleeps in the cellar of Kronborg Castle at Elsinore, ready to rise again if Denmark is ever in danger.

While Korrigan or more usually Corrigan is a traditional Irish surname, in Breton folklore a Korrigan is a spritelike creature who often creates mischief.

Fresher diminutive form of Gertrud

The C spelling of Corrigan relates more directly to the Irish surname, while the K spelling, Korrigan, relates to the sprites and fairies of Breton folklore.

Ødger is the Old Danish form of Audogar, written as AuðgæiRR in Old Norse.

Modern Danish form of Esger or Asger, borne by dancer Eske Holm, evolutionary geneticist Eske Willerslev and actor Eske Forsting Hansen.

The kind of cutesy female spin not popular since Barry was big for boys, several decades ago. Consider Bara instead.

No: no Picasso, no Beethoven, and no Shakespeare.