Holding steady.
Popularity of Girtie since 1888
Babies named Girtie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Girtie's real moment was 1904.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6 |
| 1890s | 41 |
| 1900s | 66 |
| 1910s | 111 |
| 1920s | 108 |
| 1930s | 48 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Girtie is a historical diminutive of Gertrude, most commonly recorded from the 1880s through 1910s. According to Social Security data, its peak year was 1904, when it ranked 994 among American girls. The name appeared steadily in that era but has not been in the top 1000 since the 1910s. Its trajectory is stable, indicating it was a niche but consistent choice in its time. Like many nickname-style names of the era, Girtie reflects a fashion for familiar forms that later gave way to more varied naming patterns. Though no top states were recorded for Girtie, its usage was likely scattered across the country, typical of names that never rose to widespread prominence.
Girtie is a diminutive or pet form of Gertrude, which is derived from the Germanic elements 'ger' (spear) and 'trud' (strength), giving the meaning 'strength of a spear'. The name Gertrude was introduced to England by the Normans and was common in medieval times, with nicknames like Gertie and Girtie emerging as familiar forms.
Sibling names for Girtie
Names that share Girtie's style, for a brother or sister.
