Nedra

♀ Girl

Pronounced NED-rah /ˈnɛd.rə/Medium

Meaning: Nedra owes its use to the 1905 best-selling novel Nedra by George Barr McCutcheon. Its origin is uncertain — one popular idea reads it as 'Arden' reversed; no derivation is secure, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A novel-born name: Nedra comes from a 1905 best-seller (said 'NED-rah'). Its origin is uncertain, which we note.

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Origin LowAmerican

MeaningNedra owes its use to the 1905 best-selling novel Nedra by George Barr McCutcheon. Its origin is uncertain — one popular idea reads it as 'Arden' reversed; no derivation is secure, which we note.

U.S. rank (2016)#15680 ↗ Rising

2016 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1941

Total births (all-time)≈ 7,104

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

Nedra entered American use through the popular 1905 novel Nedra. Its origin is uncertain, with a favorite guess reading it as 'Arden' spelled backward. It saw modest use into the mid-century, cresting around 1941, then faded. We note the uncertainty rather than assign a false root.

Uncommon now, it reads as a soft, literary antique. Distinctive and quietly stylish.

Did you know? Nedra sprang from George Barr McCutcheon's 1905 novel Nedra — one idea reads it as 'Arden' reversed — and saw a mid-century peak around 1941, its true origin uncertain, which we note.

Overall data confidence 40%

References — Nedra — Popularized by 1905 novel Nedra; origin uncertain

Variations

NeddaNedaNadra

Nicknames

NedNeddie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nedra…

Neda— a similar soft N- girl's name

Nydia— a similar literary vintage pick

Detra— shares Nedra's American roots

Daira— a fellow American choice

Aayra— echoes that soft -ra sound

Explore names like Nedra

By themeuncertain vintage literary 1940s

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nedra mean?

Nedra is of uncertain origin, popularized by a 1905 novel; one idea reads it as 'Arden' reversed. We note the uncertainty.

How do you pronounce Nedra?

It's said NED-rah /ˈnɛd.rə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nedra a boy or girl name?

Nedra is used as a girl's name.

Is Nedra making a comeback?

Nedra is uncommon today and reads as a literary mid-century antique rather than a reviving name.