Meaning & Story
Gertrude comes from Old High German "Garutruda," combining "ger" (spear) and "truda" (strength, maiden) — meaning "spear of strength." It is a name of genuine Germanic power whose very unfashionableness has become its most charming quality in an era of ironic name revival.
Gertrude is perhaps the bravest pet name on this list — and that bravery is precisely its appeal. Calling your pet Gertrude is a confident act of anti-trend, a refusal to give the animal something easy and palatable. And then, inevitably, Gertrude becomes the most beloved name in the household because it is so perfectly, specifically right for the creature who carries it. The nickname Gertie gives you options. The full Gertrude demands to be heard.