Gerrit
/ˈɣɛrɪt/ (Dutch), /ˈɡɛrɪt/ (English)noun
A Dutch masculine given name and a Dutch form of Gerard.
Did you know?Gerrit belongs to the same ancient Germanic naming tradition as Gerard and Gerhard, where names were constructed as symbolic declarations of weapons, courage, and power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*g̑ʰaisos
“Spear or lance; the probable ancient source of the first element”
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*gaizaz + *harduz
“Spear + hard, strong, or brave”
Old High German
Old High German
Gerhart
“A compound personal name meaning “spear-strong” or “strong with the spear””
Medieval Latin / Germanic
Latin
Gerardus
“Latinized form of the Germanic name Gerhard or Gerhart”
Middle Dutch
Middle Dutch
Gerart / Gerrit
“Dutch forms that developed from Gerard, with Gerrit becoming a common vernacular variant”
Modern English
English
Gerrit
“A proper name borrowed primarily from Dutch usage”