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Ah, thanks for the info. I guess I should have said that Gertrude was a *trendy* name in the 19th century - I don't believe it was particularly fashionable in the preceding centuries, although I don't have any stats or anything - just an impression! I guess by 1796 it had become widespread and was maybe poised to be big (guess being the operative word). I agree with Anneza though, that Shakespeare probably used the name with northern Europe in mind.