Contribute your knowledge to the name Gerda

Comments and insights on the name Gerda

This name is found mainly in German-speaking countries and in the Netherlands.

Personal experiences with the name Gerda

My name is Gerda. I chose to call my self Gerda when we left Holland and came to Canada. My name was originally Geertje which is totally not pronounceable here. I changed it to Gerda but I really still don't like it. No problems with pronunciation though

My name is often mistaken with Gerta, Gerga at first.

Nicknames for Gerda

Gerdi, Gerti, Gerry,

Meanings and history of the name Gerda

Gerda comes from Old Icelandic and means "protector". It can also be used as a short form of Gertrude. The goddess Gerda was the daughter of the giant Gymir and wife of the god Freyr. She was the protector of gardens.
There is also a famous fairy tale from Hans Christian Andersen, named "The Snow Queen". Gerda is a little girl trying to save her friend Kai from the evil Snow Queen.

Famous real-life people named Gerda

Gerda Taro, German photographer and martyr of the Spanish Civil War
Gerda Hasselfeldt, German politician
Gerda Spillmann, Swiss cosmetics magnate
Gerda Szepansky, German activist and author
Charlize Theron's mother is named Gerda

Gerda in song, story & screen

Gerda Arnoldsen Buddenbrooks, wife of Thomas, in Thomas Mann's novel "Buddenbrooks"
Little Gerda, character in Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tale, "The Snow Queen".
"Gerda" sung by Klaus Hoffmann
"Das Fräulein Gerda" sung by Palast Orchester mit Sänger Max Raabe