Declining since 1997, #5,608 for boys today.
Popularity of Gerrit since 1881
Babies named Gerrit per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gerrit's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6 |
| 1890s | 6 |
| 1900s | 30 |
| 1910s | 277 |
| 1920s | 336 |
| 1930s | 201 |
| 1940s | 146 |
| 1950s | 179 |
| 1960s | 168 |
| 1970s | 259 |
| 1980s | 281 |
| 1990s | 383 |
| 2000s | 314 |
| 2010s | 220 |
| 2020s | 71 |
Meaning & origin
Gerrit is a Dutch and Frisian name that has seen sparse usage in the United States. First recorded in 1881, when it peaked in popularity at rank 5608, the name has since declined. Its trajectory shows a steady fall since 1997, and as of 2025 it was given to roughly 1 in 106,755 boys. Despite its rarity, Gerrit remains a recognizable connector to Dutch heritage, often overshadowed by its more common variant Gerard. The name carries the meaning of 'spear strength,' reflecting its Old Germanic roots. While it is not associated with any specific U.S. states in recent data, its history in the Netherlands is well established.
Gerrit is a Dutch and Frisian form of Gerard, which comes from the Germanic elements 'ger' (spear) and 'hard' (brave, hardy). The name has been in use in the Netherlands since the Middle Ages, often appearing in records as a given name or surname. In modern times, it remains common in the Netherlands and among Dutch diaspora communities.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ger, Rit
Sibling names for Gerrit
Names that share Gerrit's style, for a brother or sister.
