Gertrude is a unique and distinctive given name of German origin. It is derived from the Germanic elements "ger" meaning "spear" and "trud" which means "strength". Therefore, Gertrude translates to "strong in battle". The name has been used historically by several notable figures, including Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, a 7th-century Belgian saint who was renowned for her kindness and generosity.
The name Gertrude gained popularity in the Middle Ages throughout Europe due to its association with the saint. It was particularly common among the nobility and remained so until the late 19th century when it started to decline in usage.
Despite its historical significance, Gertrude is not a commonly used name today. However, it still holds a certain charm and uniqueness that sets it apart from more conventional names. People named Gertrude often stand out due to the uncommon nature of their name, which can make them memorable and interesting individuals.
The name Gertrude has seen a varied number of births annually in the United States over the years, with some peaks and valleys in its popularity.
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, there was an average of about five to eight babies named Gertrude each year. The name saw a slight increase in popularity between 1915 and 1917, with 14 births in 1915, 13 births in 1916, and 17 births in 1917.
However, the number of births with the name Gertrude began to decline after the 1920s. There were still several years where there were five or more babies named Gertrude each year until the mid-1930s, but the numbers began to decrease significantly after that point.
Overall, from 1885 to 1938, there were a total of 278 births in the United States with the name Gertrude. While the popularity of the name has varied over time, it remains a distinctive and historic name choice for parents looking for something unique for their daughters.