Gertrude \ge-rtru-de, ger(t)-rude\ as a girl's name is pronounced GER-trood. It is of Old German origin, and the meaning of Gertrude is "strong spear". Name of a seventh century saint. Writer Gertrude Stein; actress Gertrude Lawrence.

Gertrude has 19 variant forms: Geertruide, Geltruda, Geltrudis, Gerda, Gert, Gerta, Gerte, Gertie, Gertina, Gertraud, Gertrud, Gertruda, Gertrudis, Gerty, Traudl, Trude, Trudi, Trudie and Trudy.