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Imelda

♀ Girl

Pronounced ee-MEL-dah /iˈmɛl.dɑ/High

Meaning: From Germanic Irmhild — irmin, 'whole, universal', and hild, 'battle' — borne by a young Italian saintHigh

In 30 seconds: Universal battle, with a saint's grace: Imelda — 'whole strength in battle' — names a blessed Italian girl, an Oscar-winning actress, and (less saintly) a famous shoe collection. Dramatic and grand.

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Origin HighGermanic, Italian

MeaningFrom Germanic Irmhild — irmin, 'whole, universal', and hild, 'battle' — borne by a young Italian saint

U.S. rank (2025)#4295 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births33 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1978

Total births (all-time)≈ 7,475

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

Imelda derives from Germanic Irmhild — irmin, 'whole, universal', plus hild, 'battle' — 'universal battle, whole strength'. Blessed Imelda Lambertini, a 13th-century Italian girl, sanctified it, and it became a Spanish and Italian classic.

In the U.S. it appears in Latino and Italian families; actress Imelda Staunton keeps it visible. Rare, strong at the root, and dramatically vintage.

Did you know? Imelda Staunton won acclaim from Harry Potter's Umbridge to The Crown's Queen Elizabeth — while Imelda Marcos's 3,000 shoes gave the name a wholly different kind of fame.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Imelda — etymology

Variations

ImeldeImeldina

Nicknames

MelMeldaIme

Famous Bearers

★Imelda Marcos (1929-)
former First Lady of the Philippines
★Imelda Staunton (1956-)
English actress known for the Harry Potter films and The Crown
★Imelda May (1974-)
Irish singer-songwriter

If you like Imelda…

Griselda— a fellow -hild Germanic vintage name

Matilda— another 'battle' name back in style

Amelia— a sister 'industrious/whole' classic

Aida— echoes that soft -da sound

Hilda— shares Imelda's Germanic roots

Explore names like Imelda

By themevintage germanic italian saint

By meaningWarrior Youth

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Imelda mean?

Imelda comes from Germanic Irmhild — 'whole, universal' plus 'battle' — 'universal battle, whole strength'.

How do you pronounce Imelda?

It's said ee-MEL-dah /iˈmɛl.dɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Imelda a boy or girl name?

Imelda is a girl's name.

How popular is Imelda?

Imelda is a rare vintage name in the U.S., used in Latino and Italian families.