Find out how popular the first name Gidget has been for the last 43 years (from 1974 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gidget by gender

Based on the last 43 years of data, Gidget is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Gidget.

The history of the first name Gidget

The name Gidget is a relatively modern invention, originating in the 20th century. It is a diminutive form of the name Gertrude, which is derived from the Germanic elements "ger" meaning "spear" and "thrud" meaning "strength." The name Gertrude was popular among medieval nobility and royalty, but the shortened form Gidget did not emerge until much later.

Gidget first appeared as the nickname of the fictional character Frances Elizabeth Lawrence in the 1957 novel "Gidget, the Little Girl with Big Ideas" by Frederick Kohner. The novel was inspired by Kohner's own daughter Kathy, who was an avid surfer in Malibu, California. The name Gidget became synonymous with the surf culture of Southern California in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Gidget was in the 1959 film adaptation of Kohner's novel, starring Sandra Dee as the title character. The film's popularity helped to popularize the name Gidget as a given name, particularly among young girls and teenagers who identified with the character's carefree, beachy lifestyle.

While Gidget was initially a fictional character, the name has since been adopted by real people. One of the earliest examples is Gidget Geine, an American actress and model born in 1948. Another notable bearer of the name is Gidget Portner, an American surfer and environmental activist born in 1946.

Throughout the 20th century, several other notable individuals have borne the name Gidget. These include Gidget Yeasting, an American softball player who competed in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, and Gidget Shelton, a former professional golfer from the United States.

While the name Gidget may have started as a fictional moniker, it has since taken on a life of its own, becoming a popular given name in its own right. Its association with the surf culture of Southern California and its playful, youthful connotations have contributed to its enduring appeal as a unique and memorable name choice.

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 Gidget was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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