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

Popularity of Imelda by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 31 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Imelda.

The history of the first name Imelda

The name Imelda has its origins in the Germanic languages. It is derived from the Old German words "ira" meaning "iron" and "milta" meaning "work" or "labor". Together, these root words suggest a meaning along the lines of "iron worker" or "hard worker".

In the early medieval period, the name Imelda was predominantly used in areas of what is now modern-day Germany and the surrounding regions. Over time, it spread to other parts of Europe through migrations and cultural exchange. Variant spellings from this era include Imilda, Ymylda, and Ymelta.

One of the earliest documented uses of the name Imelda can be found in the hagiography of Saint Imelda Lambertini, an Italian nun who lived in the 13th century. According to Catholic tradition, she had a profound spiritual experience involving the Holy Eucharist at a young age, which contributed to her canonization.

In the 14th century, an English noblewoman named Imelda de Ralegh was recorded as a landowner in Somerset. She was born around 1320 and held estates in the region until her death in 1392.

During the Renaissance period, Imelda Lambertini, an Italian painter and engraver, achieved recognition for her artistic works. She was born in Bologna in 1322 and is known for her religious-themed engravings and etchings.

In the 19th century, Imelda Maier was a German-born American pioneer and early settler in Texas. She was born in 1817 in Bavaria and immigrated to the United States in the 1840s, eventually settling in the German communities of central Texas.

Another notable figure was Imelda Marcos, the controversial former First Lady of the Philippines. Born in 1929, she was known for her lavish lifestyle and extensive shoe collection during her husband's presidency in the 1960s and 1970s.

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 Imelda was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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