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Hildegard

♀ Girl

Pronounced HIL-duh-gard /ˈhɪl.də.ɡɑrd/Medium

Meaning: From the Germanic hild, 'battle', plus gard, 'an enclosure; protection'; 'a battle enclosure; a protective battle-maid'Medium

In 30 seconds: A battle enclosure; a protective battle-maid: Hildegard is Germanic 'battle protection'. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'HIL-duh-gard').

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Origin MediumGermanic

MeaningFrom the Germanic hild, 'battle', plus gard, 'an enclosure; protection'; 'a battle enclosure; a protective battle-maid'

U.S. rank (2025)#7627 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births14 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1915

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,944

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Hildegard comes from the Germanic hild, 'battle', plus gard, 'an enclosure; protection' — 'a battle enclosure; a protective battle-maid'. Borne by Saint Hildegard of Bingen, the visionary medieval abbess, composer, and writer. A crisp, classic name (said 'HIL-duh-gard'; nickname Hilda).

In the U.S. it appears in German families. Rare, a-battle-enclosure at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Hildegard joins the Germanic hild, 'battle', with gard, 'an enclosure; protection' — 'a battle enclosure; a protective battle-maid' — borne by the brilliant medieval abbess Hildegard of Bingen (said 'HIL-duh-gard').

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Hildegard — Germanic etymology

Variations

HildaHildegardeHildy

Nicknames

Hilda

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Hildegard…

Hilda— a kin short form

Griselda— another Germanic girls' name

Harriet— lands in the same popularity range

Adelaide— a fellow Germanic choice

Rosalyn— a fellow Germanic choice

Explore names like Hildegard

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Hildegard mean?

Hildegard is Germanic for 'a battle enclosure; a protective battle-maid'.

How do you pronounce Hildegard?

It's said HIL-duh-gard /ˈhɪl.də.ɡɑrd/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Hildegard a boy or girl name?

Hildegard is a girl's name.

How popular is Hildegard?

Hildegard is a rare name in the U.S.