Gerda Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Gerda originates from Old Norse, meaning 'enclosure' or 'protected'. It has evolved from the Old Norse 'Gerðr' to the modern form used in Scandinavia. The name is associated with traits of strength and beauty, though it does not have biblical relevance. Its popularity rose in the 19th century, and it remains a classic name today.
The name Gerda is most popular in North Dakota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Silent Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Gerda has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Gerda' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1468th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2054th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4746th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 13005th out of 19264 names. Discover how the name 'Gerda' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Gerda"
Pronunciation
/ˈɡɛr.də/
Origin
Old Norse
Etymology
The name Gerda derives from the Old Norse name 'Gerðr', which means 'enclosure' or 'protected'. In Norse mythology, Gerda is known as a goddess associated with fertility and beauty.
Meaning
enclosure, protected
Language Evolution
Gerðr (Old Norse), Gerda (Modern Scandinavian)
Historical Usage
Gerda gained popularity in Scandinavia and Germany in the 19th century, particularly due to its association with folklore and mythology.
Variants & Derivatives
Gerd, Gerdy
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Gerda is viewed as a classic and somewhat vintage name, often evoking a sense of strength and beauty.
Famous People
Gerda Lerner, a prominent historian, Gerda Taro, a pioneering war photographer
Explore More Gerda Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Gerda"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Gerda"
"Gerda" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1468th of 9107 | 519 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2054th of 9204 | 308 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4746th of 12526 | 131 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 13005th of 19264 | 22 |
Regional Popularity of "Gerda" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Gerda" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
67.16% 951st/1416 |
77.16% 1064th/1379 |
100.00% 2366th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
100.00% 1546th/1546 |
66.07% 1028th/1556 |
- |
94.96% 1469th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Gerda"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Gerda" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.