Imelda
Imelda is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Universal battle or whole warrior.
Origin and history
Imelda is an Italian and Spanish form of the Germanic name Ermenhild, derived from elements meaning whole, universal, and battle. It gained widespread recognition in Europe through Saint Imelda Lambertini, a 14th-century Italian patron saint of first communicants. In the United States, it has been a consistently used yet relatively uncommon feminine name.
Popularity in the United States
7,476 babies in the United States have been named Imelda since 1880. It ranks #1937 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1881.
States where it is most popular
- TX (46.7 %)
- CA (37 %)
- IL (4.6 %)
- MA (3 %)
- PA (1.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 33 |
| 1900-1910 | 105 |
| 1910-1920 | 457 |
| 1920-1930 | 597 |
| 1930-1940 | 476 |
| 1940-1950 | 412 |
| 1950-1960 | 666 |
| 1960-1970 | 786 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,283 |
| 1980-1990 | 897 |
| 1990-2000 | 748 |
| 2000-2010 | 510 |
| 2010-2019 | 286 |
| 2020-2029 | 220 |
Famous people named Imelda
- Imelda Marcos: First Lady, Politician
- Imelda Staunton: Actress
- Imelda May: Singer, Songwriter
Nicknames
Mel, Immy
Fun facts
- The name developed in Italy as an adaptation of the ancient Germanic name Ermenhild.
- Blessed Imelda Lambertini is recognized as the patron saint of First Communicants.