Jurģis is the Latvian form of the name George. It is a relatively rare given name in Latvia, primarily used among ethnic Latvians. The name corresponds to the more common Latvian variants Juris and Georgs, as well as the Lithuanian cognate Jurgis. All these names ultimately derive from the Greek name Geōrgios, meaning "farmer" or "earthworker," from the elements gē "earth" and ergon "work."
The name became widespread across Europe after the veneration of Saint George, a 3rd-century Roman soldier martyred under Emperor Diocletian. In Baltic countries, forms like Jurģis and Jurgis were introduced through Christianity and have been used since the medieval period. The feast day of Saint George (Jurģi in Latvian) is celebrated on April 23 and is associated with spring rituals and the beginning of the agricultural season, reflecting the name's rural origins.
While no widely known historical bearers of Jurģis are documented, the related Lithuanian name Jurgis is common among notable figures such as the poet Jurgis Baltrušaitis and the aviator Jurgis Dobkevičius. In Latvia, the name Jurģis may be encountered in local contexts, though it has become overshadowed by the more popular Juris. Modern usage of Jurģis remains infrequent, often seen as a traditional or even archaic choice.
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Sources: Wikipedia — Jurgis