Surname Girardi - Meaning and Origin

Girardi: What does the surname Girardi mean?

The last name Girardi is an Italian surname with a few varied meanings. It is derived from the Latin term meaning “from the village,” likely a reference to the original family’s geographic origin.Alternatively, it could derive from an Italian profession, such as girard or guarardo, which referred to the person in charge of a castle or glamorous abode. Girardi is also associated with gaïra, a term for a noble warrior that was common in ancient Rome.

The Girardi family is recognized for its involvement in Italian history. During the 12th century, the Girardi family was an integral part of the dynasty in Vicenza, Italy. During this time, the family prospered and extended its influence in the area. Later during the 14th century, the family enacted legislation for the benefit of the people of Vicenza.

Today, the last name Girardi is still a popular Italian surname, primarily found in northern Italy. In addition to carrying such a distinguished name, individuals with the Girardi surname remain proud of their heritage and history. The last name Girardi continues to represent that of a unique and determined family.

Girardi: Where does the name Girardi come from?

The last name Girardi is most common today in Italy. According to the World Names Profiler, Girardi is the 16,875th most common surname in the world, with an estimated 62,539 bearers existing today. In the United States, the number of Girardis is thought to be between 2,400-3,000. The greatest number of Girardis are found in the northern Italian region of Lombardy. Milan is the province with the most Girardis, with Lombardy having over 45,000 bearers. Girardi is also widely found in the southern and central regions of Italy, particularly in Puglia, Abruzzo, Molise, and Lazio. In recent years, immigration patterns have spread the moniker to other parts of Europe, particularly France, England, and Germany. Additionally, Girardi is increasingly found across the Americas, in places like Brazil, Argentina, and Canada.

Variations of the surname Girardi

Girardi is an Italian surname that originated in northern Italy. Variants include Girardi, Gherardi, Girard, Gérard, Girardino, and Gerardini. Some alternate spellings of Girardi include Gerardo, Gerard, Gerdi, Gerd, Jerardo, Jerardi, Jerard, and Jerardi.

Girardi itself is a diminutive form of the name Gerard, which is a French form of a name derived from the Germanic elements ger, meaning spear, and hard, meaning hardy or strong. The spelling Gerard became popular in medieval England, when it was brought by the Normans. The popularity of the Girardi surname in Italy is due to Girardino, a saint venerated in Padua and Vicenza.

In terms of surnames related to Girardi, the most notable is Garibaldi, which is from the Italian elements garibald, meaning “ready to fight,” and bold, meaning “bold” or “brave.” Other associated surnames include Gerardi, Gariboldi, Garbin, and Garbo.

Variations of Girardi can be found amongst surnames in the United States, too, including Geraci, Gereatty, Geratty, and Geratti. In some cases, the name is a variant of Gerety, which is a Gaelic surname of Irish origin, meaning “son of Gerald.” Another associated Irish surname possibly related to Girardi is Gorman, which is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Gormáin, meaning “descendant of Gormán.”

Famous people with the name Girardi

• Joe Girardi: Joe was born on October 14, 1964 and is an American professional baseball catcher, manager and broadcaster. He played for the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees. He is also known for being the manager of the Yankees from 2008 to 2017, becoming the team's oldest manager to win a World Series and being a four-time MLB All-Star.
• Jorge Girardi: Jorge was born on February 11, 1967 and is an Argentine former footballer. He played as a forward for River Plate where he won two Argentine championships.
• Susan Girardi: Susan is an American actress known for her roles in movies such as The Parent Trap and Step Up 2: The Streets.
• Massimo Girardi: Massimo is an Italian film director and screenwriter. He has directed several films and documentaries, and has won the Ciak d'oro for best documentary in 2006.
• Dan Girardi: Dan was born on April 29, 1984 and is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He played for the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL and is a three time All-Star.
• Mariano Girardi: Mariano was born on April 17, 1952 and is an Argentine former footballer. He played many clubs including Argentinos Juniors and Sarmiento de Junín before having a successful international career.
• Miguel Girardi: Miguel was born on April 13, 1965 and is a former Argentine footballer. He played in Argentina as well as for teams in the North American Soccer League and Major League Soccer.
• Carlo Girardi: Carlo was born on January 22, 1934 and is an Italian former footballer. He played for teams in Italy and Austria, and later became a manager for teams in Italy, Switzerland, and Kuwait.

Other surnames

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