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Home › Baby Names Directory › Gidget

Gidget

♀ Girl

Pronounced GIJ-it /ˈɡɪdʒ.ɪt/Medium

Meaning: Gidget is a pop-culture coinage from the 1959 film Gidget and its follow-ons. The name was invented by author Frederick Kohner for his daughter, blending 'girl' and 'midget'. Its use as a given name is a screen-inspired tribute.Medium

In 30 seconds: A screen coinage: Gidget blends 'girl' and 'midget' (said 'GIJ-it'), from the 1959 film and TV show.
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Origin MediumAmerican
MeaningGidget is a pop-culture coinage from the 1959 film Gidget and its follow-ons. The name was invented by author Frederick Kohner for his daughter, blending 'girl' and 'midget'. Its use as a given name is a screen-inspired tribute.
U.S. rank (2016)#14967 ↗ Rising
2016 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1966
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,586

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196619462016

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

Gidget began as a nickname coined by author Frederick Kohner for his surfing daughter, blending 'girl' and 'midget'. The 1959 film and later television series turned it into a household word, and it saw brief given-name use, cresting around 1966. It faded as the pop-culture moment passed.

Very uncommon now, it reads as a bright pop-culture relic. Playful and unmistakably of its era.

Did you know? Gidget was coined by writer Frederick Kohner for his daughter — 'girl' plus 'midget' — and leapt to fame through the 1959 film and 1960s TV show, cresting around 1966.
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Gidget — Coinage 'girl'+'midget'; 1959 film / 1960s TV show

Variations

GidgitGidgetteBridget

Nicknames

GidgeGigi

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Gidget…

Bridget— a like name Gidget echoes in sound
Gigi— a similar playful pop-culture nickname
Trixie— a like peppy mid-century name
Bunny— a similar cute era nickname-name

Explore names like Gidget

By themecoinagepop-cultureplayful1960s

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Gidget mean?

Gidget is a coinage blending 'girl' and 'midget', invented by author Frederick Kohner for his daughter and popularized by the 1959 film.

How do you pronounce Gidget?

It's said GIJ-it /ˈɡɪdʒ.ɪt/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Gidget a boy or girl name?

Gidget is used as a girl's name.

Is Gidget making a comeback?

Gidget is very rare today and reads as a bright 1960s pop-culture name rather than a reviving one.

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