Gerda
Latinate variant of Scandinavian Gerd, from Old Norse Gerðr, garðr (“protection”).
Every Gerda since 1887 — 1,099 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Gerda
Gerda is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1887, 1,099 American babies have been named Gerda. Its peak came in 1915, when 49 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Gerda stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Gerda year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | 5 | #6,691 |
| 1955 | 8 | #4,515 |
| 1950 | 12 | #3,122 |
| 1945 | 11 | #2,799 |
| 1940 | 12 | #2,472 |
| 1935 | 32 | #1,284 |
| 1930 | 31 | #1,384 |
| 1925 | 24 | #1,764 |
| 1920 | 30 | #1,485 |
| 1915 | 49 | #949 |
| 1910 | 18 | #1,043 |
| 1905 | 9 | #1,350 |
| 1900 | 7 | #1,632 |
| 1895 | 12 | #957 |
| 1890 | 10 | #893 |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Gerda
- Gerda Wegener Painter · 1886–1940
- Gerda Taro Journalist · 1910–1937
- Gerda Christian Social activist · 1913–1997
- Gerda Steinhoff Politician · 1922–1946
- Gerda Lerner Historian · 1920–2013
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gerda mean?
Latinate variant of Scandinavian Gerd, from Old Norse Gerðr, garðr (“protection”).
How popular is the name Gerda in 2025?
Gerda did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Gerda?
1,099 babies have been named Gerda in the United States since 1887, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Gerda most popular?
Gerda peaked in 1915, when 49 newborns received the name.
Is Gerda a boy or girl name?
Gerda is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Gerda rising or falling?
Gerda has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Gerda?
Well-known people named Gerda include Gerda Wegener (painter), Gerda Taro (journalist), Gerda Christian (social activist).