Ida

Pronunciation: [ EYED-uh ]

Girl Name #1,143 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A Victorian gem that ages like fine wine

German Scandinavian English Greek

Vintage Classic Minimalist Elegant

Meaning & Origin

"work, labor"

Origin: Germanic

Language: English

"youthful goddess, keeper of immortality"

Origin: Norse

Language: English

The Story of Ida

Ida comes from the Old High German id meaning work or labor. It was also a name in Norse mythology where Idun was the goddess who kept the golden apples of youth, maintaining the gods' immortality. In Greek mythology, Mount Ida was sacred — both in Crete where Zeus was raised and in Troy where Paris judged the three goddesses. The convergence of these traditions across cultures made Ida a beloved name for centuries.

Ida was very popular in the Victorian era and early 20th century, peaking around 1880 to 1910 in the US. It then faded for decades but is now experiencing a significant revival as part of the short vintage name trend alongside Ada, Eva, Ivy, and Elsie. It returned to the US top 500 around 2018.

Ida B. Wells (1862-1931) was a foundational journalist and civil rights leader, co-founder of the NAACP. Ida Lupino was a pioneering Hollywood actress and director. The name has consistently been borne by remarkable women who shaped history and culture.

Fun Facts

Ida B. Wells (1862-1931) was one of the founders of the NAACP and a pioneering investigative journalist who exposed lynching in America
Mount Ida in Crete was where baby Zeus was hidden from his father Cronus according to Greek mythology
Idun in Norse mythology kept the golden apples that gave the gods eternal youth — her name gives us the name Ida

Ida in Other Languages

Danish Ida

German Ida

Italian Ida

Swedish Ida

Norwegian Ida

Famous People Named Ida

Ida Lupino

Actor

1918

British-American actress and pioneering Hollywood director, one of the first women to direct major studio films in the 1...

British-American actress and pioneering Hollywood director, one of the first women to direct major studio films in the 1950s

Ida B. Wells

Activist

1862

American journalist, civil rights leader, and co-founder of the NAACP who campaigned against lynching and disenfranchise...

American journalist, civil rights leader, and co-founder of the NAACP who campaigned against lynching and disenfranchisement

Idun the Norse goddess

Other

Norse goddess who kept the golden apples of immortality, wife of the god Bragi — her name gives us the modern name Ida

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,143
Total SSA Count: 211
Cultural Origins: German Scandinavian English Greek
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Idalia #1715

Pairs Well With

Ida Mae Ida Rose Ida Claire Ida Louise Ida Pearl Ida Jane Ida Blythe

Sibling Names

Ada Olive Pearl Otto Jasper Mabel Hazel

Also a Boy Name

Ida is also used as a boy name, ranked #11298.

View Ida as a boy name →

Similar Names

Edith Ada Eva Edna Iva Ivy Adah Evie

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ida

What does the name Ida mean?

"work, labor" (from Germanic). "youthful goddess, keeper of immortality" (from Norse). Ida comes from the Old High German id meaning work or labor. It was also a name in Norse mythology where Idun was the goddess who kept the golden apples of youth, maintaining the gods' immortality. In Greek mythology, Mount Ida was sacred — both in Crete where Zeus was raised and in Troy where Paris judged the three goddesses. The convergence of these traditions across cultures made Ida a beloved name for centuries.

What is the origin of the name Ida?

Ida has Germanic, Norse, German, Scandinavian, English, and Greek origins. In Germanic, it means "work, labor". In Norse, it means "youthful goddess, keeper of immortality".

Is Ida a boy or girl name?

Ida is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1143. As a boy name, it is ranked #11298. Ida is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Ida?

Ida is pronounced EYED-uh.

How popular is the name Ida?

Ida is currently ranked #1143 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Ida?

Popular middle name pairings include Ida Mae, Ida Rose, Ida Claire, Ida Louise, Ida Pearl, Ida Jane, and Ida Blythe.

What are good sibling names for Ida?

Names that pair well with Ida as siblings include Ada, Olive, Pearl, Otto, Jasper, Mabel, and Hazel.

How many syllables does Ida have?

Ida has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Ida a common or rare name?

Ida is an uncommon name, ranked #1143 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Ida

Ida is a girl name with German, Scandinavian, English, and Greek origins . The name means "work, labor" in Germanic .

Is Ida a boy or girl name? Ida is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,143 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #11,298. Ida is more commonly used as a girl name.

Ida is currently ranked #1,143 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Ida has 2 syllables and is pronounced EYED-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Alternative spellings of Ida include Idalia . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

Ida