Find out how popular the first name Gerhardt has been for the last 16 years (from 1984 to 1999) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gerhardt by gender

Based on the last 16 years of data, Gerhardt is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1999, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Gerhardt.

The history of the first name Gerhardt

The given name Gerhardt is of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German words "ger" meaning "spear" and "hard" meaning "hardy" or "brave". It emerged as a common name in the Medieval period, particularly in regions of present-day Germany and the Netherlands.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Gerhardt was Gerhardt von Riga, a 13th-century priest and chronicler who documented the Northern Crusades in Livonia (present-day Latvia and Estonia). His work, the Livonian Chronicle, provides valuable insights into the region's history during that era.

In the 16th century, Gerhardt Mercator, a Flemish cartographer and geographer, gained fame for his innovative world map projection, now known as the Mercator projection. He was born in 1512 and died in 1594, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of cartography.

The 17th century saw the rise of Gerhardt Tersteegen, a German mystic and poet born in 1697. His religious works, such as the collection of hymns "Geistliches Blumengärtlein", became widely popular and influenced Protestant spirituality.

Another notable figure was Gerhardt von Kügelgen, a German painter and writer born in 1772. He is renowned for his portraits of notable figures from the Romantic era, including Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller.

In the 19th century, Gerhardt Hauptmann, a German dramatist and novelist, achieved literary acclaim. Born in 1862, he is best known for his naturalistic plays, such as "The Weavers" and "The Sunken Bell". Hauptmann was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1912.

While these are just a few examples, the name Gerhardt has been present throughout various periods of history, bearing witness to the cultural and linguistic roots of its Germanic heritage.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Gerhardt was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gerhardt, please contact us.

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