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Gertrude

♀ Girl

Pronounced GUR-trood /ˈɡɜr.trud/Medium

Meaning: From Germanic ger, 'spear', plus thrud, 'strength' — 'spear of strength, strong spear'High

In 30 seconds: Strong-speared and stately: Gertrude is Germanic 'spear of strength' — a Valkyrie's name, and a vintage classic (writer Gertrude Stein). Bold and dignified.

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Origin HighGerman

MeaningFrom Germanic ger, 'spear', plus thrud, 'strength' — 'spear of strength, strong spear'

U.S. rank (2025)#6632 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births17 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1917

Total births (all-time)≈ 177,100

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Gertrude comes from Germanic ger, 'spear', plus thrud, 'strength' — 'spear of strength, strong spear' (a Valkyrie name; St Gertrude). A bold, dignified vintage classic (Gertrude Stein; Hamlet's queen).

It registers thinly today. Rare now, strong-spear at the root, and stately.

Did you know? Gertrude joins Germanic ger ('spear') with thrud ('strength') — 'strong spear', a Valkyrie's name in Norse myth; writer Gertrude Stein bore it. Hamlet's mother too.

Overall data confidence 85%

Behind the Name — Gertrude — etymology

Variations

GertrudGertrudaGeltrude

Nicknames

TrudyGertie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Gertrude…

Gretchen— a fellow German vintage name

Gretel— shares Gertrude's German roots

Grettel— shares Gertrude's German roots

Lennie— a similarly popular pick

Lenni— another vintage pick

Explore names like Gertrude

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By meaningStrength

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Gertrude mean?

Gertrude is Germanic for 'spear of strength, strong spear'.

How do you pronounce Gertrude?

It's said GUR-trood /ˈɡɜr.trud/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Gertrude a boy or girl name?

Gertrude is a girl's name.

How popular is Gertrude?

Gertrude is a rare name in the U.S. today.