Find out how popular the first name Ida has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ida by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Ida is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 199 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Ida.

The history of the first name Ida

The name Ida has its roots in the Germanic languages, with origins dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Germanic root "id," which means "work" or "labor." The name was initially popular among the German-speaking regions of Europe during the medieval period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ida can be found in the Nibelungenlied, a legendary German epic poem from around the 13th century. In this epic, Ida is mentioned as the name of a minor character. This suggests that the name was already in use during that era.

Historically, the name Ida has been associated with several notable figures. One of the most prominent is Ida of Herzfeld, also known as Saint Ida of Toggenburg (c. 1040-1116), a German noblewoman and abbess who founded the Fischingen Abbey in present-day Switzerland. Her life and works earned her recognition as a saint in the Catholic Church.

Another renowned Ida was Ida of Lorraine (c. 1040-1113), a Countess of Boulogne and the wife of Eustace III, Count of Boulogne. She played a significant role in the political affairs of her time and was known for her intelligence and leadership.

In the 12th century, Ida of Formbach-Ratelnberg (c. 1180-1226) was a German noblewoman and a renowned mystic and writer. She is remembered for her spiritual writings and her contribution to the development of mysticism in the Middle Ages.

During the 19th century, the name Ida gained popularity across Europe and beyond. One notable bearer of the name was Ida Pfeiffer (1797-1858), an Austrian explorer and travel writer who embarked on numerous expeditions around the world, becoming one of the first female explorers of her time.

Another famous Ida was Ida B. Wells (1862-1931), an African American journalist, activist, and leader in the civil rights movement. She was a pioneering figure in the fight against lynching and racial discrimination in the United States.

Over the centuries, the name Ida has been used in various cultures and languages, but its Germanic roots remain a consistent thread in its history and evolution.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ida was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ida, please contact us.

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