Is Gertrude a boy's or girl's name?

Gertrude is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 568 recorded births.

When was Gertrude most popular?

Gertrude reached its peak popularity in 1917 with 6,300 births that year. It is currently ranked #4683 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Gertrude?

Gertrude is currently ranked #4683 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 177,083 babies since 1880.

Gertrude

An uncommon Germanic pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysGermanicDeclining Also a pet name

#4683▼ 192in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A female given name from the Germanic languages.

Gertrude is a girl's and boy's baby name of Germanic origin, from the Old High German elements ger meaning 'spear' and þrūþ meaning 'strength.' It was widely used in medieval Europe and later favored by Victorian-era parents.

Gertrude Stein, the avant-garde writer who shaped modernist literature in Paris, is the name's most celebrated bearer. After decades out of fashion, Gertrude is beginning to appeal to parents who love old-soul names with real substance — and the nickname Trudy brings a sweet, unexpected charm.

Compare Gertrude with another name

Popularity Over Time

Gertrude climbed 2205 spots in the last 20 years — from #6888 to #4683.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Gertrude
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	154	#4483	▼
2010s	236	#5870	▲
2000s	135	#8654	▲
1990s	102	#8952	▼
1980s	188	#4481	▼
1970s	380	#2556	▼
1960s	1,250	#1047	▼
1950s	3,936	#473	▼
1940s	7,936	#250	▼
1930s	16,137	#141	▼
1920s	42,459	#66	▼
1910s	49,565	#34	▲
1900s	23,607	#25	▲
1890s	19,898	#24	▲
1880s	11,100	#27	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Gertrude
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	29	#4683	-2 (-6.5%)
2023	31	#4491	-1 (-3.1%)
2022	32	#4405	+2 (6.7%)
2021	30	#4544	-2 (-6.3%)
2020	32	#4291	-2 (-5.9%)
2019	34	#4196	+9 (36.0%)
2018	25	#5215	-1 (-3.8%)
2017	26	#5097	-10 (-27.8%)
2016	36	#4115	+10 (38.5%)
2015	26	#5185	+6 (30.0%)
2014	20	#6284	+2 (11.1%)
2013	18	#6834	+1 (5.9%)
2012	17	#7243	0
2011	17	#7223	0
2010	17	#7312	+9 (112.5%)
2009	8	#12848	-8 (-50.0%)
2008	16	#7867	-2 (-11.1%)
2007	18	#7186	+3 (20.0%)
2006	15	#8000	+1 (7.1%)
2005	14	#8040	-3 (-17.6%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Gertrude as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Gertrude has also been given to 568 boys in the U.S. since 1884.

Unranked

Current rank

568

Total births

1920

Peak year

Compare Gertrude as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Gertrude be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Gertrude is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #4683. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Gertrude has two lives

Gertrude, the baby name

#4683girls

177,083 babies

Currently viewing

Gertrude, the pet name

#1513pet name

69 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology