Declining since 2020, #6,546 for girls today.
Popularity of Gertrude since 1880
Babies named Gertrude per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gertrude's real moment was 1896.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 11,100 |
| 1890s | 19,898 |
| 1900s | 23,607 |
| 1910s | 49,565 |
| 1920s | 42,459 |
| 1930s | 16,137 |
| 1940s | 7,936 |
| 1950s | 3,936 |
| 1960s | 1,250 |
| 1970s | 380 |
| 1980s | 188 |
| 1990s | 102 |
| 2000s | 135 |
| 2010s | 236 |
| 2020s | 171 |
Meaning & origin
Gertrude reached its peak popularity in 1896, ranking among the top names for girls. Since then, it has steadily fallen, particularly after 2020 when the trajectory shows a continuous decline. The name was first recorded in the U.S. in 1880 and was especially common in the 1890s. Despite its rarity today, Gertrude remains a classic with a strong meaning.
Gertrude derives from Old German 'ger' (spear) and 'druod' (strength). It was a common name among medieval German nobility. The name was introduced to England by the Normans and later enjoyed popularity in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Where Gertrude 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
Nicknames: Gertie, Trudy, Gerta
Variants: Gertrud, Geretrude, Gertruda
Sibling names for Gertrude
Names that share Gertrude's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Agnes, Mabel, Edith, Beatrice, Florence, Hermina, Hildegard, Mable, Elfrieda, Gerrie, Hedwig, Herlinda, Hildegarde, Trudie, Alfreida, Doreatha, Irmgard, Ricarda, Ernesta, Hildagarde, Norberta, Wilmoth, Anselma, Gustie, Hildagard, Huberta
Brothers: Herman, Walter, Arthur, Albert, Edgar, Harold, Howard, Leonard, Lambert, Norbert, Gerold, Hilbert, Thurston, Albertus, Aldric, Barnard, Dolph, Filbert, Harrold, Philbert, Rembert, Robbert, Walfred, Engelbert, Ignatz, Ludger, Sigismund
