Gertha Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Gertha has Old German origins, meaning 'strength of a spear'. It evolved from the name Gerhild and has seen variants such as Gertie and Gertrude. The name reflects traits of strength and resilience and does not have biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the late 19th century but is now viewed as a vintage name.
The name Gertha is most popular in Alabama, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South 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, Gertha has been stalled for female in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in South. Across generations, 'Gertha' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1055th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1465th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3062nd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 15428th out of 19264 names. Discover how the name 'Gertha' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Gertha"
Pronunciation
/ˈɡɜːrθə/
Origin
Old German
Etymology
The name Gertha is derived from the Old German name 'Gerhild' which means 'spear strength' or 'strength of a spear'. It combines the elements 'ger' meaning 'spear' and 'hild' meaning 'battle'.
Meaning
strength of a spear
Language Evolution
Gerhild, Gertha, Gertie
Historical Usage
The name Gertha gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in German-speaking countries and among German immigrant communities.
Variants & Derivatives
Gertie, Gerta, Gertrude
Modern Popularity & Image
Gertha is considered an old-fashioned name today, often associated with traditional values and a nostalgic charm.
Famous People
Gertha W. Smith, an influential educator, Gertha G. Johnson, a noted activist
Explore More Gertha Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Gertha"
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 "Gertha"
"Gertha" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1055th of 9107 | 871 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1465th of 9204 | 513 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3062nd of 12526 | 278 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 15428th of 19264 | 12 |
Regional Popularity of "Gertha" 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 "Gertha" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
31.83% 753rd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
40.67% 957th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
68.45% 1953rd/2853 |
- |
| 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 "Gertha"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Gertha" 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.