Declining since 2022.
Popularity of Gertie since 1880
Babies named Gertie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gertie's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 710 |
| 1890s | 1,143 |
| 1900s | 1,115 |
| 1910s | 1,745 |
| 1920s | 1,551 |
| 1930s | 1,082 |
| 1940s | 672 |
| 1950s | 321 |
| 1960s | 110 |
| 1970s | 29 |
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 25 |
| 2020s | 14 |
Meaning & origin
Gertie is a classic Victorian diminutive that enjoyed its heyday in the late 19th century, reaching peak popularity in 1885 when it was at its highest rank. Since then it has followed a steep falling trajectory, particularly from 2022 onward, and no longer appears in modern rankings. The name Gertie was first recorded in 1880, reflecting the trend of clipping longer, formal names into friendly nicknames. While it was once common, it has since fallen out of favor, and today it is rarely bestowed. Its top states from its peak era are not recorded in the current data, but its historical usage was widespread across English-speaking countries.
Gertie originated as a pet form of Gertrude, a name derived from the Germanic elements 'ger' meaning 'spear' and 'þrūþ' meaning 'strength'. Gertrude was a common name in medieval England and Germany, but Gertie emerged as a standalone nickname in the 19th century. It saw peak popularity in the 1880s, following the Victorian fashion for diminutives.
Where Gertie is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Gertie, Gerty, Gert
Sibling names for Gertie
Names that share Gertie's style, for a brother or sister.
