Gertrude is a feminine given name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German words "ger," meaning "spear," and "trud," meaning "strength" or "war." The name Gertrude has been popular throughout history, particularly in medieval Europe, where it was often borne by royalty and nobility.
The name Gertrude first appears in historical records in the 6th century AD, when it was borne by Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, a Belgian nun who is considered the patron saint of travel, travelers, and cats. Despite its initial popularity, the name Gertrude fell out of fashion for several centuries, only to experience a resurgence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In literature, Gertrude is perhaps best known as the name of Hamlet's mother in William Shakespeare's tragedy "Hamlet." In this play, Gertrude is portrayed as a vulnerable and conflicted figure, caught between her duty as a queen and her desire to maintain peace within her royal household. This portrayal has contributed to the name Gertrude being associated with complexity and depth of character.
Throughout history, notable figures bearing the name Gertrude have included Gertrude Bell (1868-1926), an English explorer, writer, archaeologist, and spy who played a major role in establishing the modern state of Iraq; and Gertrude Stein (1874-1946), an American expatriate writer and art collector known for her experimental writing style and her influential salons during the early 20th century.
Today, Gertrude is still considered a classic name with a rich history and a strong meaning. While it may not be as popular as it once was, it remains a distinctive and elegant choice for parents seeking a name that combines tradition with uniqueness.
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name "Gertrude" in the United States from 1880 to 2023. During this period, the name's popularity fluctuated significantly.
In the late 19th century, the name Gertrude was quite popular, with over 700 births per year between 1880 and 1889. The peak of this era was reached in 1892 with 1924 births. However, popularity began to decline gradually after that year.
The early 20th century saw a steady decrease in the number of newborns named Gertrude. By 1935, the annual figure dropped below 1000 for the first time since 1880. This downward trend continued throughout the mid-20th century, with fewer than 100 births per year recorded between 1947 and 1968.
The latter half of the 20th century saw a further decline in popularity. Between 1969 and 2005, there were less than 50 births per year with the name Gertrude each year except for 1973 and 1974. The lowest point during this period was recorded in 1993, with only 8 births.
However, since the early 2000s, there has been a slight resurgence in popularity of the name Gertrude. Between 2006 and 2023, the annual number of newborn girls named Gertrude ranged from a low of 7 (in 1997) to a high of 34 (in 2019). In total, there were 177,054 births with the name Gertrude in the United States between 1880 and 2023.