Where does the name Getzel come from?

Getzel is a quite common Yiddish male's name.

According to the sources I've seen, Getzel is either a Yiddish diminutive of the German name Gottfried, which means "at peace with G‑d," or it comes from the German name Gottschalk, which means "unfaithful to G‑d."

Though the latter explanation seems odd, those who propound this theory note that the Hebrew name Elyakim is commonly given together with the name Getzel. El yakim means "G‑d will establish," implying that although the Jewish people were at one time "unfaithful to G‑d (Gottschalk)" and were therefore exiled, soon G‑d will reestablish our relationship—Elyakim.

Best wishes,

Rabbi Baruch S. Davidson