Gertrude Girl

Popularity: #931 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: GUR-trood //ˈɡɜːr.truːd//

Origin: German; Dutch

Meaning: German: spear strength; Dutch: strength of a spear

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Gertrude has its roots in the Old High German name "Geretrudis," which is composed of the elements "geri" meaning "spear" and "thrud" meaning "strength" or "force." This name was adapted into Latin as "Gertrudis" and subsequently made its way into various forms in the Romance languages. The transition into English occurred through the influence of Norman French after the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, where it was rendered as "Gertrude." The name has been used in various forms across Europe, reflecting its Germanic origins and the linguistic shifts that occurred over centuries.

Historically, Gertrude has been borne by several notable figures, including Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, a 7th-century abbess in what is now Belgium, who became a prominent figure in Christian hagiography. Her feast day is celebrated on March 17, and she is often invoked for protection against rats and mice, which has contributed to the name's enduring presence in Christian contexts.

Additionally, the name appears in various medieval texts and was popularized in literature, notably in the works of Shakespeare, where it appears in "Hamlet" as the name of the queen, Gertrude, mother of Prince Hamlet. Culturally, Gertrude has been associated with strength and resilience, reflecting its etymological roots.

The name has also been linked to various traditions and folklore, particularly in German-speaking regions, where it has been celebrated in songs and stories. The diminutive form "Trudy" emerged as a familiar variant, further embedding the name in cultural contexts.

Overall, Gertrude's historical significance and linguistic evolution illustrate its deep roots in European history and culture.

Famous people named Gertrude

In this section, you will find notable people named Gertrude. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Gertrude who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Gertrude who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Gertrude Stein was an author and art collector best known for Three Lives, Tender Buttons, and The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas.

Gertrude Bell was a writer and archaeologist best known for her explorations in the Middle East and her role in the establishment of modern Iraq.

Fictional characters named Gertrude

The following list of fictional characters named Gertrude is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Gertrude is a fictional character from William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. She is the Queen of Denmark and the mother of the protagonist, Hamlet, playing a crucial role in the unfolding tragedy.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gertrude, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

GwendolynBeatriceMargaretDorothyEleanorCecilia

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Gertrude. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

GermaineGertieGloriaGildaGwendolynGretaGinaGenevieve

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Gertrude was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Gertrude has ranked as high as #66 nationally, which occurred in 1917, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Michigan.

In the past 5 years the name Gertrude has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Gertrude is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Gertrude was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Gertrude.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 17 0 17
2024 29 0 29
2023 31 0 31
2022 32 0 32
2021 30 0 30
2020 32 0 32
2019 34 0 34
2018 25 0 25
2017 26 0 26
2016 36 0 36
2015 26 0 26
2014 20 0 20
2013 18 0 18
2012 17 0 17
2011 17 0 17
2010 17 0 17
2009 8 0 8
2008 16 0 16
2007 18 0 18
2006 15 0 15
2005 14 0 14
2004 17 0 17
2003 9 0 9
2002 11 0 11
2001 10 0 10
2000 17 0 17
1999 13 0 13
1998 5 0 5
1997 7 0 7
1996 15 0 15
1995 9 0 9
1994 13 0 13
1993 8 0 8
1992 9 0 9
1991 14 0 14
1990 9 0 9
1989 17 0 17
1988 22 0 22
1987 11 0 11
1986 13 0 13
1985 14 0 14
1984 16 0 16
1983 21 0 21
1982 24 0 24
1981 22 0 22
1980 28 0 28
1979 19 0 19
1978 19 0 19
1977 20 0 20
1976 21 0 21
1975 43 0 43
1974 39 0 39
1973 55 0 55
1972 55 0 55
1971 55 0 55
1970 54 0 54
1969 53 0 53
1968 58 0 58
1967 71 0 71
1966 98 0 98
1965 112 0 112
1964 153 0 153
1963 169 0 169
1962 152 0 152
1961 173 0 173
1960 211 0 211
1959 220 0 220
1958 243 0 243
1957 300 0 300
1956 340 0 340
1955 371 0 371
1954 393 0 393
1953 422 0 422
1952 476 0 476
1951 558 0 558
1950 613 0 613
1949 662 5 657
1948 651 0 651
1947 702 0 702
1946 639 0 639
1945 664 0 664
1944 813 0 813
1943 874 7 867
1942 932 0 932
1941 997 0 997
1940 1,014 0 1,014
1939 1,098 6 1,092
1938 1,179 12 1,167
1937 1,327 8 1,319
1936 1,325 9 1,316
1935 1,439 14 1,425
1934 1,588 6 1,582
1933 1,626 7 1,619
1932 1,981 13 1,968
1931 2,107 13 2,094
1930 2,568 13 2,555
1929 2,739 14 2,725
1928 3,023 12 3,011
1927 3,525 17 3,508
1926 3,864 12 3,852
1925 3,903 11 3,892
1924 4,560 17 4,543
1923 4,709 9 4,700
1922 5,095 13 5,082
1921 5,357 8 5,349
1920 5,814 17 5,797
1919 6,030 16 6,014
1918 6,278 14 6,264
1917 6,315 15 6,300
1916 6,259 16 6,243
1915 6,092 15 6,077
1914 4,949 11 4,938
1913 4,028 13 4,015
1912 3,901 14 3,887
1911 2,908 13 2,895
1910 2,940 8 2,932
1909 2,622 0 2,622
1908 2,575 13 2,562
1907 2,509 10 2,499
1906 2,384 9 2,375
1905 2,286 10 2,276
1904 2,275 6 2,269
1903 2,258 5 2,253
1902 2,217 10 2,207
1901 1,969 5 1,964
1900 2,588 8 2,580
1899 2,117 7 2,110
1898 2,316 14 2,302
1897 2,141 6 2,135
1896 2,227 6 2,221
1895 2,141 12 2,129
1894 1,918 10 1,908
1893 1,811 0 1,811
1892 1,931 7 1,924
1891 1,656 11 1,645
1890 1,722 9 1,713
1889 1,550 7 1,543
1888 1,473 5 1,468
1887 1,251 0 1,251
1886 1,256 7 1,249
1885 1,094 8 1,086
1884 1,068 5 1,063
1883 923 0 923
1882 939 0 939
1881 791 0 791
1880 787 0 787

Top States for Gertrude (2020)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 5
100%