"battle woman, warrior"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Hilda
Pronunciation: [ h-IHLD-uh ]
Does Hilda flow with your last name?
A warrior saint reborn as a vintage charmer
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Meaning & Origin
"war, combat"
Origin: Old Norse
Language: Norse
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The Story of Hilda
Hilda comes from the Old Germanic element hild meaning battle or war. It was borne by several saints and historical figures, most notably Saint Hilda of Whitby (614-680 AD), a foundational figure of early English Christianity who founded the great double monastery of Whitby. The name was widespread among medieval nobility across England, Germany, and Scandinavia.
Hilda peaked in the early 20th century and fell sharply after World War II when Germanic names fell out of fashion. It is now experiencing a vintage revival, buoyed by the animated Netflix series Hilda (2018) and the broader grandmother-name trend.
In Norse mythology, Hildr (the Norse form) was a Valkyrie who had the power to resurrect fallen warriors. In English history, Saint Hilda of Whitby presided over the Synod of Whitby in 664 AD, a pivotal moment that determined the course of English Christianity.
Historical Record
Hilda first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 17,284 babies have been named Hilda in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Hilda is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #3,055 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Hilda of Whitby presided over the famous Synod of Whitby in 664 AD
- The animated Netflix series Hilda (2018) introduced the name to a new generation
- Hilda was a top-50 name in the US from 1900 to 1930
Hilda in Other Languages
Dutch
Hilda
Norse
Hildr
German
Hilda
Italian
Ilda
Spanish
Hilda
Swedish
Hilda
Popularity Over Time
#3,055
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Hilda
H
H
Hilda of Whitby
Religious
614
7th-century English abbess and one of the most important figures of early English Christianity, founder of Whitby Abbey
H
Hilda Spellman Fictional
Other
Witch aunt from the TV series Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
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Compare Hilda with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,055
- Total SSA Count
- 53
- Cultural Origins
- English German Scandinavian Dutch
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Hildie
Hilly
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Hilda
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Hilda is also used as a boy name, ranked #20011.
View Hilda as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hilda
What does the name Hilda mean?
"battle woman, warrior" (from Germanic). "war, combat" (from Old Norse). Hilda comes from the Old Germanic element hild meaning battle or war. It was borne by several saints and historical figures, most notably Saint Hilda of Whitby (614-680 AD), a foundational figure of early English Christianity who founded the great double monastery of Whitby. The name was widespread among medieval nobility across England, Germany, and Scandinavia.
What is the origin of the name Hilda?
Hilda has Germanic, Old Norse, English, German, Scandinavian, and Dutch origins. In Germanic, it means "battle woman, warrior". In Old Norse, it means "war, combat".
Is Hilda a boy or girl name?
Hilda is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3055. As a boy name, it is ranked #20011. Hilda is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Hilda?
Hilda is pronounced h-IHLD-uh.
How popular is the name Hilda?
Hilda is currently ranked #3055 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Hilda?
Common nicknames for Hilda include Hildie and Hilly.
What are good middle names for Hilda?
Popular middle name pairings include Hilda Rose, Hilda Mae, Hilda Jane, Hilda Frances, Hilda Louise, Hilda Wren, and Hilda Claire.
What are good sibling names for Hilda?
Names that pair well with Hilda as siblings include Hazel, Otto, Mabel, Rupert, Agnes, Bertram, and Willa.
How many syllables does Hilda have?
Hilda has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Hilda a common or rare name?
Hilda is an uncommon name, ranked #3055 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Hilda
Hilda is a girl name with English, German, Scandinavian, and Dutch origins . The name means "battle woman, warrior" in Germanic .
Is Hilda a boy or girl name? Hilda is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,055 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #20,011. Hilda is more commonly used as a girl name.
Hilda is currently ranked #3,055 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Hilda has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-IHLD-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Hilda include Hildie and Hilly. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis