Melda

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Melda

Pronounced MEL-duh /ˈmɛl.də/High

Meaning: Melda is a short form of Imelda (Germanic irmin, 'whole, universal', plus hild, 'battle') and sometimes Esmelda or Esmeralda; the clipped form was used as a given name in the early twentieth century.Low

In 30 seconds: Melda is a vintage short form of Imelda or Esmelda, tied to 'universal battle' (said 'MEL-duh').

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Origin LowGermanic, Italian

MeaningMelda is a short form of Imelda (Germanic irmin, 'whole, universal', plus hild, 'battle') and sometimes Esmelda or Esmeralda; the clipped form was used as a given name in the early twentieth century.

U.S. rank (1975)#8653 ↘ Falling

1975 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1925

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,487

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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

Melda is a trimmed form of Imelda — a Germanic name from irmin, 'whole or universal', and hild, 'battle' — and sometimes of Esmelda or Esmeralda. Dropping the first syllable made a soft, self-contained girls' name.

It rose around the turn of the century, crested in the mid-nineteen-twenties at just a few dozen girls a year, and faded through the century; it is a genuine antique of the great-grandparent era and carries Imelda's 'universal battle' sense.

Did you know? Melda belonged to the turn-of-the-century generation, cresting around 1925 at only a few dozen girls a year.

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Melda — Imelda/Esmelda short form; Germanic irmin + hild

Variations

ImeldaEsmeldaMelida

Nicknames

Mel

Famous Bearers

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If you like Melda…

Imelda— the fuller name Melda shortens

Hilda— a like Germanic -da girls' name of the era

Zelda— shares the vintage -da ending and sound

Esmeralda— another name Melda can be clipped from

Explore names like Melda

By themerare vintage short-form

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Melda mean?

Melda is a short form of Imelda, from Germanic roots meaning 'whole' and 'battle'.

How do you pronounce Melda?

It's said MEL-duh /ˈmɛl.də/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Melda a boy or girl name?

Melda is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Melda?

Melda is an antique name, popular around the nineteen-twenties and rare since.