Gerhild

Fact sheet

Name: Gerhild
Gender: Girl name
Syllables: 2

Gerhild is a traditional German and Germanic girl's name that carries the meanings 'the one fighting with the spear', 'the fighter with the spear', or 'the warrior proven in spear combat'. The name has its roots in the Old High German language.

What does the name Gerhild mean?

Gerhild is a historical first name for girls from the German and Germanic region, meaning 'the one fighting with the spear', 'the fighter with the spear', or 'the warrior proven in spear combat'. The origin of the name goes back to Old High German and consists of the elements ger, meaning 'the spear', 'the throwing spear', or 'the trident', and hiltja, meaning 'the battle', 'the warrior', 'the hero', or 'the champion'. The name gained recognition through Richard Wagner's opera 'Die Walküre', in which the soprano Gerhilde appears. Variations of the name include Gerhilde, Gerhilt, and Kerhild.

How do you pronounce Gerhild?

The pronunciation of Gerhild is clear and structured, with a distinct emphasis on the consonants. The name is generally pronounced as 'Ger-hild' [ˈɡɛʁhɪlt], with the beginning being open and slightly muted. The powerful transition in the second part gives the name a certain weight and stability, while the short ending concludes the name succinctly. Overall, Gerhild conveys a serious, down-to-earth impression with a distinctive and slightly stern sound.

When is the name day of Gerhild?

The name day for Gerhild is celebrated on September 23.

Popularity

In Germany, Gerhild is considered a rare first name that has not been listed in the German name popularity charts. In Austria, the name reached its best ranking in 1984 at 250th place in the name charts. In the last ten years, Gerhild has been given less than 10 times there, resulting in a ranking of 5,065 in the ten-year statistics. From 1984 to 2024, it ranks 1,434th in Austria.

Nicknames & pet names

Gerlein / Gerli / Gerlo / Gerrie / Gerry / Hildchen / Hilde

Famous people

Gerhild Diesner (American painter)
Gerhild Ebel (German artist)
Gerhild Komander (historian from Germany)
Gerhild Steinbuch (Austrian writer)
Gerhild Weber (German actress)

Frequently asked questions about the name Gerhild

What is the meaning of the name Gerhild?

Gerhild means 'the one fighting with the spear' or 'the fighter with the spear'. The name consists of the Old High German elements 'ger' (spear) and 'hiltja' (battle).

Where does the name Gerhild come from?

The name Gerhild has its roots in Old German and Old Germanic. It is a historical first name that is anchored in the German language.

How popular is the name Gerhild?

Gerhild is a less common name in modern naming, but has gained recognition through cultural references, such as the opera 'Die Walküre' by Richard Wagner.