Why is Fräulein Gerda actually called Fräulein Gerda

The question comes up every now and then, usually with a quick glance:
“Fräulein Gerda... where does that actually come from?”

And every time, I notice that the name seems to imply there should be some big story behind it, some special origin or clever thought. And honestly, the answer is much less “spectacular” than one might suspect.

Gerda, my grandma, and a life between wool and patience

Gerda is my middle name and also the name of my grandma, who was my godmother and played a fairly important role in my life, even if she is no longer with us today.

When people talk about “handcrafts,” “DIY,” knitting, or crocheting today, it often sounds like a trend or a conscious choice. For me, it was just everyday life. I simply grew up with it.

As a child, I did a lot of things with my grandma and my mom that we now quickly summarize as “handcrafts”... everything that takes time, requires patience, and where you eventually realize that “doing it quickly” doesn't really work here.

Back then, I didn't always celebrate that. Today, that’s exactly what has stuck with me.

🧶 And then came this “Fräulein”

And then there was this word that somehow took hold.

My grandma sometimes called me “Fräulein” (young lady) or “Fräuleinchen”... usually right when I, as a child, was of the opinion that rules were more like… flexible suggestions.

My mom picked that up, by the way. Not strictly, more in everyday life—that short “Fräulein…” with a very specific look when you were in the middle of turning mischief into creative ideas.

And somehow, that’s what stuck.

I have kept this “Fräulein” to this day. Not in the sense of “being well-behaved,” but rather the opposite: embracing those little moments of craziness in everyday life.
I am quite a perfectionist, I like it when things are tidy and well done, but at the same time, I love to get up to mischief with my husband, tease each other, be silly together, and sometimes just not take things so seriously.

Both belong together quite naturally for me, even if it might not always seem logical at first glance.

🙃 And yes, this “Fräulein” sometimes raises questions

And of course, it happens from time to time that someone pauses briefly and says:
“Fräulein? That sounds kind of old-fashioned.”

Sometimes with a little smile, sometimes with a genuine question behind it.

And I understand that, because the word isn’t used as often today, and that opinion is absolutely valid.

For me, however, it has nothing to do with any old image or a specific meaning; it simply emerged from my everyday life back then—from my childhood, my family, and those very normal moments where words just had their place without anyone thinking twice about it.

Nothing more ever came of it, other than a word that stayed.

The longer I think about it...

Perhaps it wasn’t scolding at all, but long-term brand development. My grandma was simply ahead of her time.

And if you just rolled your eyes because you saw a little bit of yourself in this, then welcome to the club.

Until our next tea chat,