Gesine is a German feminine given name, possibly derived from a Low German diminutive of Gertrud. It thus shares its ultimate roots with the broader name Gertrude, meaning "spear of strength," from the Old German elements ger "spear" and drud "strength." Etymology and History While the exact origin of Gesine is uncertain, it is believed to have originated in northern Germany as a shortened or affectionate form of names beginning or ending with "Gert-" or "-ges" endings. It may have been influenced by regional naming traditions in Low German-speaking areas. Variants such as Gerta and Gerti also exist, along with short forms like Trude or Trudi. Notable Bearers Several notable women have borne the name Gesine, particularly in German-speaking Europe. Gesine Schwan (born 1943) is a prominent German political scientist and a member of the Social Democratic Party, standing as a candidate for the German presidency in 2004 and 2009. Gesine Lötzsch (born 1961) is a German politician for Die Linke and served as co-chairperson of the party. In academia, Gesine Manuwald is a Professor of Latin at University College London, and Gesine Reinert is a Professor of Statistics at the University of Oxford. The name also appears in arts and entertainment: Gesine Cukrowski is a German actress; Gesine Bullock-Prado, actress Sandra Bullock's sister, is a pastry chef, author, and former film executive; and Gesine Schröder is a musicologist at the University of Vienna. Other figures include Gesine Meißner (born 1952), a German politician and former Member of the European Parliament; Gesine Ruge, a German sprint canoeist; and Pauline Johanna Gesine Mouthaan (1892–1969), a Dutch artist. Earlier notable bearers include Gesine Becker (1888–1968), a left-wing activist and politician during the Weimar Republic and postwar Germany. Meaning: Possibly a Low German diminutive of Gertrud; ultimately derived from Old Germanic roots meaning "spear of strength" Origin: German (abschließend Low German) Type: Feminine given name Related forms: Gerta, Gerti, Trude, Trudi; and related forms in other languages: Gertruda (Polish), Geertruida (Dutch), Gertrudis (Spanish) Usage regions: Primarily Germany; also used in Scandinavian and nearby regions