Geronimo
A surname from the Italian form of Saint Jerome’s name, ultimately meaning “sacred name.”
The #9,449 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 89,673 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Geronimo is connected to the Italian form Geronimo/Girolamo, used for the Christian name Jerome. That name goes back through Latin to Greek hierōnymos, meaning “sacred name” or “holy name.” In surname use, it would usually arise from a family link to a man named Jerome or from devotion to the saint.
History
The form became familiar in Romance-language use through Saint Jerome, a major church father whose name spread widely across Europe. In English-speaking countries, Geronimo is uncommon as a surname and is more often encountered as a given name or as a borrowing from Spanish and Italian naming traditions. The spelling with final -o reflects southern European usage.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The saint’s name passed through several language shifts: Greek Hieronymos became Latin Hieronymus, then Italian Geronimo/Girolamo, and French Jerome.
From the historical record
“Gerold, m. Ger. Teu. spear firm, 369 Geeolp, m. Ger. Teu. spear wolf, 370 Geronimo, m. It. Gr. holy name, 89 Gerontius, m. Lat. Gr. old man. Geeeamn, m. Ger. Teu. -spear raven, 369 Gerritt, m. Dutch, Teu. firm spear,”
— History of Christian Names