Girty is a rare and unique given name of American origin. It is derived from the Native American surname "Gitchee" or "Gitchie", which means "big". The name was originally used by the Shawnee people, an indigenous tribe that inhabited present-day Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.
The name Girty is most famously associated with Alexander Girty, a white man who lived among the Shawnee in the late 18th century. He was born in Pennsylvania and captured by the Shawnee when he was young. After being adopted into their tribe, he changed his name to Girty and became a prominent warrior and leader among them.
Girty is also associated with other notable figures from American history. His brothers, John and Thomas, were also known as "White Indians" because they lived among Native American tribes and fought alongside them against the United States during the Northwest Indian War. The Girty family's story has been passed down through generations and remains an important part of American folklore.
Today, Girty is not a common name, but it continues to be used by some families as a unique way to honor their Native American heritage or to pay tribute to the historical figures associated with the name. It is also sometimes used as a surname in its original form, "Gitchee" or "Gitchie".
Statistics on the name Girty in the United States:
The name Girty experienced a brief surge of popularity in the late 1920s, with five babies being named Girty each year in both 1926 and 1927. However, this trend did not continue into subsequent years, as no more than one baby was named Girty annually from 1928 onwards.
In total, over the span of these two years (1926-1927), there were ten babies born in the United States who were named Girty. Despite this small number, it is still fascinating to observe this specific moment in time where parents chose this unique name for their children.