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
I have a distant relative with the name Getzel Johanna. Is Getzel a Jewish first name commonly used, or?
It is not a commonly used name today. Somewhat old fashioned. My kids joke that they will name their kid Getzel. They might use Eliyakim but not Getzel..I don't think. Although I recently came across someone named Getzel.