Gottfried is a masculine given name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German elements "got" meaning "god" and "fridu" meaning "peace". Therefore, Gottfried translates to "peace of God".
The name Gottfried has been in use since the Middle Ages and was particularly popular among nobility during this period. It is associated with figures such as Gottfried von Berlichingen, a 15th-century German knight whose exploits were recorded by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in his play "Götz von Berlichingen". This helped to popularize the name further.
Over time, Gottfried has seen varied usage across different languages and cultures. In some cases, it has been translated or adapted into other forms such as Godfrey (English), Gottfrid (Swedish), and Gotfried (Dutch). Despite these variations, the core meaning of "peace of God" remains constant throughout.
Today, Gottfried is not as commonly used as it once was, but it continues to be a unique and meaningful name choice. Parents who choose this name for their child often do so because they appreciate its historic significance and strong meaning. While it may not be as prevalent in modern times, Gottfried carries with it a rich heritage that spans centuries of usage.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Gottfried was given to a total of 115 babies over an 18-year span from 1913 to 1938 inclusive in the United States.
The name's popularity fluctuated during this period. The highest number of births with the name Gottfried occurred in 1916, with 11 newborns bearing this name that year. This was followed by another peak in 1926, with 9 babies named Gottfried.
However, there were also years where the name was less common. For example, there were only 5 births each in 1934 and again in 1938.
Overall, these statistics show that while Gottfried was not one of the most popular names during this time period, it was still chosen for a significant number of babies over several years. This demonstrates the diversity in naming choices among parents during this era.