Gertrud
A girl's name of Germanic origin with 34 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Gertrud hit its peak of 7 births in 1916, American naming still drew heavily from family heritage, religious tradition, and the cultural norms of the time.
Today, Gertrud reads as a vintage revival candidate — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Gertrud is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Gertrud is a girl's baby name of Germanic origin, the German and Scandinavian form of Gertrude, from the Old High German elements ger (spear) and trud (strength, might), meaning 'spear of strength' or 'strong spear.'
The Gertrud spelling strips the familiar English -e, returning the name to its Germanic form — used across Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia, where it remains a solid, no-nonsense classic with genuine historical depth.
EtymologyShow more
Gertrud is built from 7 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Germanic naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Gertrud creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Gertrud has 6+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1894.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 | #5251 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 18 | #4181 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 5 | #1999 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 6 | #1405 | — |
The Story of Gertrud
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1916, Gertrud is a name steeped in history. Girls named Gertrud are most likely born between 1906 and 1923.
How rare is Gertrud?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Gertrud is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1894, peaked in the 1910s with 18 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(6 years, 1894–1923)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1923 | 5 | #5251 |
| 1917 | 5 | #4887 |
| 1916 | 7 | #3690 |
| 1915 | 6 | #3965 |
| 1904 | 5 | #1999 |
| 1894 | 6 | #1405 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gertrud a boy's or girl's name?
When was Gertrud most popular?
How popular is the name Gertrud?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1894–1923