Gerónimo was a Native American military leader known for the various raids he carried out against the US and Mexican territories.
Born on June 16, 1829, to the Bedonkohe band of the Ndendahe Apache people in Arizpe, Mexico, he rose to prominence during the United States-Apache conflict when he formed a coalition with the Tchihende, the Tsokanende and the Nednhi to defend their lands from being taken by the United States Army. He was highly influental, inspiring Native Americans on reservations to break out and take up arms against the US government.
During his time, he was seen as somewhat of legendary figure in the Americas. After he was taken prisoner in 1886, the US government paraded him at fairs and exhibitions to entertain the non-Indian populace. He died on February 17, 1909 (aged 79), in Fort Sill, California.
While he was seen as a Noble Savage back then, nowadays he typically has a more sympathetic portrayal. This is in part to Values Dissonance; increased awareness and education about Native American history has not put many actions of the US government towards Native Americans in a positive light, to say the least.
In modern popular culture, he is revered for his military tactics and skill on the battlefield, as well as other interesting aspects of his life such as him being a medicine man and an excellent shaman. The name "Geronimo" is usually used as a Shout-Out to Native Americans as a whole, though this has been argued to be racist.
Although it usually isn't brought up in fiction, his real name is actually Goyaalé ("one who yawns"). It's believed the name Geronimo was given by Mexicans who couldn't spell his tribal name — Gerónimo was also a usual name among local Christian Indians given that Arizpe had been founded by Jesuit Jerónimo del Canal — and that he went along with it to make things easier when speaking Spanish.
His name is also used as an exclamation word by the American military
, usually during parachute jumps. If you see someone screaming "GERONIMOOO!!" while jumping off extreme heights, they're referring to this Native American. As the link implies, how his name ended up adapted into such exclamation words has multiple possible explanations.
See here for references.
Portrayals of Geronimo in fiction
- Kinnikuman: Geronimo is portrayed as a cowboy who heavily idolized the choujins, and eventually became one himself.
- Igano Kabamaru: Geronimo is one of the many competitors featured in the baseball game episode (alongside Hitler and King Kong). He brings his battle-axe to the field and tries to use it as a bat.
- The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck: Chapter 6B, "The Vigilante of Pizen Bluff", includes Geronimo as one of the historical Western characters that form a team with the fictional Scrooge McDuck and his Uncle Pothole to stop the Dalton Gang. However, he introduces himself under his original name, Goyaalé. When Pothole finds out this means "The one who yawns", he constantly mock him. It isn't until Scrooge uses "GERONIMO" as a Battle Cry late in the comic that Pothole realizes who the Apache really is. This also established that it appearantly has been Scrooge who coined "GERONIMO" as an acclimation in the first place.
- Apache: A 1954 Western film directed by Robert Aldrich. Geronimo is played by Charles Bronson. Geronimo's surrender is portrayed here, and used as fuel for it's Villain Protagonist.
- Geronimo: An American Legend: A 1993 Western film directed by Walter Hill. Geronimo is portrayed by Wes Studi. Portrays Geronimo as a sympathetic villain, and highlights his resistance to US occupation.
- Hot Shots! Part Deux: As they jump out of a plane with parachutes, soldiers shout a Battle Cry. To complete a Visual Pun, the man himself appears for a moment.
Soldier 1: GERONIMO!
Soldier 2: GERONIMO!
Geronimo: ME! - Undead or Alive: 2007 Comedy Western that features the main characters encounter the fictional Sue, who is Geronimo's niece.
- How Few Remain takes place in an Alternate History where the Confederates won the American Civil War. Geronimo is an ally of General Stuart, but changes his opinion on him in the second half of the book.
- Flashman befriends "The Yawner" during Flashman and the Redskins.
- Kamen Rider X: One of the things G.O.D. specializes in is creating hybrid creatures between the DNA of animals and historical figures. Some of these are "Ant Capone", "Starfish Hitler" and "Scorpion Geronimo".
- Fate/Grand Order features Geronimo as a Magical Native American who can invoke The Power of the Sun. Unusually, he is portrayed as a patriot who is proud of modern America.