Gertrude
GER-trude
A name traditionally associated with the strength and protection of a spear-maiden.
Meaning
The excerpt glosses Gertrude as “spear maid,” reflecting the common Germanic etymology of the name as built from elements meaning “spear” and “maiden/strength.” In Christian-name usage it spread into English and French, and the related forms in the excerpt show it as a well-established European female name.
Origin
Old GermanEnglishFrenchfeminine
Fun fact
The excerpt also notes that forms like Gathred and Gatty were treated as derivatives or corruptions of Gertrude.
Confidence: mixed. Sources: History of Christian Names, Praenomina; or, the etymology of the principal Christian names of Great Britain and Ireland.