View Message

Gertrude
Yes, I know this name isn't as pretty as others, but I have a soft spot for it. I don't know, there is just something about it that makes me think it could kick ass and take names...must be because of the meaning. :)What is your opinion of Gertrude? Do you think it can be saved, or do you think it should be kept in the dark because of its ugliness? What would you pair it with?Also, what do you think of the Latinized version, Gertrudis? I think it prettier, but it still has that roughness about it I love.
Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

vote up1
Ger sounds growly and rude sounds, well, rude. I could perhaps warm up to Gertrudis as a mn, but nothing more. I quite like Gerlinde!My DH's Afrikaans grandmother was known as Dollie, but her given names were Gertruida Susanna Maria. It's pronounced kheRR-TRAY-da, more or less - the -ui- diphthong doesn't exist in English.I knew a woman who had both Gertruida and Petrina in her family tree, and she combined them for her younger daughter into Gertina Petruida. She enjoyed the result enormously, and the girl was known happily enough as Tina.
vote up1
Gertrude is a name that's been growing on me quite a bit over the past few months. I think it's strong, dashing, literary, a little aristocratic and feminine in a slightly tomboyish way. And I'd be way too craven to actually use it on a child in this day and age. Maybe the world's just not ready for a return of the Gertrudes.Anyway, I really like the combo Florence Gertrude and I thoroughly enjoy my totally mismatched GP of Gertrude Lalage.
vote up1
I really don't like it, sorry, and don't see it make it a come back, I think something like Ethel or Mildred has a better chance. The "trude" part really grates my ears. I don't think Gertrudis is much of an improvement either.
vote up1
In general I find the sound to be ugly but I can't hate it too much because it's my kitty's full name :) We call her Rudy though.... I think Rudy or Tru as a nn helps spunk it up a bit
vote up1
I like Gertrude, not really fond of Gertrudis. I also like the nicknames Tru & Trudy.Gertrude Agnes
Gertrude Alice
Gertrude Anthea
Gertrude Avis
Gertrude Bryony
Gertrude Camille
Gertrude Clover
Gertrude Dagny
Gertrude Echo
Gertrude Elanor
Gertrude Elspeth
Gertrude Eponine
Gertrude Lunete
Gertrude Moira
Gertrude Nyx
vote up1
Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew! Sorry but this is my least favorite name.
I kind of like Trudy but that's the only redeeming factor to me.
The Gert part is sooo heavy & curt, like a mean old lady who is sarcastic to everything you say. The -trude part is also heavy & sounds like rude & is a little close to turd.
Gertrudis is not much better. In fact it adds that -is sound, like a snake hissing.
vote up1
I like Gertrude. It it is spunky and different. I would use it on a person. In fact, I have a cat named Gertrude Jacqueline and we caller her "Gertie Jack" or "trudy". My husband is Latin and calls her Gertrudis pronounced: Hair- true-THEESENot so fond of that pronunciation
vote up1
I don't really like it, but I think I could perhaps come to like it. I kinda like the nickname Gerdie for it. I think that nickname is cute and could make me want to like Gertrude more. I like Gertrude better than Gertrudis. Combos. Let's see...Gertrude Ophelia
Gertrude Helena
Gertrude Audrey
Gertrude Beatrice
Gertrude Sophia
Gertrude Madeleine
Gertrude Victoria
Gertrude Arabella
Gertrude Lucasta
vote up1
My great-grandma was named Gertrude. I laughed when my mum told me that was her name as it was part of a joke between my friends and I -- my friend was convinced it was a boys' name. It has grown on me, weirdly enough, I suppose in the same way Grizelda has. It's kind of a battleaxe name, tough as nails but there's something about her that you like {I'm sure that made no sense, but oh well}. Unfortunately, I don't think Gertrude's usable as a first name; it's dated and kind of laughable for the younger generations. I'm not at all fond of Gertrudis...

This message was edited 11/20/2010, 7:59 AM

vote up1
I think it should be kept in the dark because of its ugliness. And I don't think the nickname Gertie is cute. I find it quite horrid. Trudy is not as bad, but still not great and it doesn't redeem Gertrude. Gertrudis is no better than Gertrude.But, hey, if you love roughness, you love roughness.
vote up1
Well...I have a soft spot for it as well, mainly because it was my great-grandmother's name. However, I don't think it would work very well for a modern girl unless you called her Trudy, and even that sounds dated.Perhaps as a middle name?Greta might be a variant that would work better.
vote up1
I think it's so ugly, I would never use it. Yes, it should be kept in the dark ;)
vote up1