"gold"
Golda
Pronunciation: [ g-OHLD-uh ]
Golden like the Iron Lady who shaped Israel
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Golda
Golda is a Yiddish name derived from the German/Yiddish word gold, reflecting the tradition in Ashkenazi Jewish communities of naming children after precious metals and gems as symbols of value and preciousness. The name was common in Eastern European Jewish communities and was immortalized by Golda Meir, who became Israel's fourth Prime Minister and the first woman to lead the country.
Golda was most popular among Ashkenazi Jewish families in the early-to-mid 20th century. Golda Meir's rise to Prime Minister in 1969 made the name internationally recognized. The name has seen renewed interest as vintage Ashkenazi names come back into fashion in the 2010s-2020s.
Golda Meir (1898-1978) was Israel's fourth Prime Minister and one of the most influential women in 20th-century politics, known as the Iron Lady of Israeli politics. The name carries the full weight of this remarkable legacy.
Fun Facts
- Golda Meir was the world's third female head of government and the first woman to lead Israel (1969-1974)
- The Yiddish tradition of naming after precious metals also produced names like Silber (silver) and Pearl
- Golda Meir was born in Kiev, emigrated to Milwaukee, and then moved to Palestine in 1921
Golda in Other Languages
Famous People Named Golda
Goldie Hawn
Actor
1945
American actress and Academy Award winner, known for Private Benjamin and The First Wives Club
Golda Meir
Politician
1898
Israel's fourth and first female Prime Minister, known as the Iron Lady of Israeli politics
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,652
- Total SSA Count
- 65
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Ashkenazi Israeli American Jewish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Same Origin Names (Jewish)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Golda
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About the Name Golda
Golda is a girl name with Jewish, Ashkenazi, Israeli, and American Jewish origins . The name means "gold" in Yiddish/German .
Golda is currently ranked #2,652 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Golda has 2 syllables and is pronounced g-OHLD-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Golda include Goldie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Golda include Goldie, Goldy, Golden . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.