Gertrude
Gertrude is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Spear of strength or strength of the spear.
Origin and history
Gertrude is a traditional Germanic name composed of elements meaning spear and strength. It was highly popular in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, though it is used rarely today. Modern U.S. parents often regard it as a vintage classic or a family name.
Popularity in the United States
177,100 babies in the United States have been named Gertrude since 1880. It ranks #227 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1930.
States where it is most popular
- NY (14.5 %)
- PA (10.3 %)
- MA (5.5 %)
- IL (5.4 %)
- MI (4.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 11,100 |
| 1890-1900 | 19,898 |
| 1900-1910 | 23,607 |
| 1910-1920 | 49,565 |
| 1920-1930 | 42,459 |
| 1930-1940 | 16,137 |
| 1940-1950 | 7,936 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,936 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,250 |
| 1970-1980 | 380 |
| 1980-1990 | 188 |
| 1990-2000 | 102 |
| 2000-2010 | 135 |
| 2010-2019 | 236 |
| 2020-2029 | 171 |
Famous people named Gertrude
- Gertrude Stein: Author, Poet
- Gertrude Ederle: Swimmer, Olympic Athlete
- Gertrude Elion: Biochemist, Pharmacologist
Nicknames
Trudy, Trudie, Gerty, Gertie
Fun facts
- Gertrude was consistently ranked among the top ten most popular girls' names in the United States during the 1880s and 1890s.
- Saint Gertrude of Nivelles is widely known in folklore as a patron saint of cats and travelers.