"work, labor"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Ida
Pronunciation: [ EYED-uh ]
Does Ida flow with your last name?
A Victorian gem that ages like fine wine
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Names Like Ida
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Meaning & Origin
"youthful goddess, keeper of immortality"
Origin: Norse
Language: English
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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.
Historical Record
Ida first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 24,418 babies have been named Ida in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ida is past its peak , currently ranked #1,143 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#1,143
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ida
I
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
I
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
I
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
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Compare Ida with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, German 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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ida
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Ida is also used as a boy name, ranked #11298.
View Ida as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (German)
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Late Latin Natalia origin
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Hebrew origin
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Rue
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Old English origin
"herb of grace, regret"
#1,242 in US
Leena
Girl
Greek via Finnish origin
"short form of Helena or Magdalena"
#1,085 in US
Carla
Girl
Germanic origin
"free man, free woman"
#1,013 in US
Carolyn
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Germanic origin
"free woman"
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Latin origin
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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.
What girl names are similar to Ida?
Are there other spellings for Ida?
Related spellings include Idalia.
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.
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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