The name Ingrid has its roots in the Old Norse language, which was spoken by the Germanic peoples of Scandinavia during the Viking Age (roughly 8th to 11th centuries). It is derived from the Old Norse name Ingríðr, which is a compound name formed from the elements "Ing" (the name of an ancient Germanic fertility god) and "fríðr" (meaning beautiful or beloved).

The earliest recorded use of the name Ingrid can be traced back to the 9th century, where it appears in ancient Scandinavian texts and runic inscriptions. It was a popular name among the Norse people and was often given to girls in honor of the goddess Ing, who was associated with fertility and prosperity.

One of the earliest known historical figures with the name Ingrid was Ingrid Ragnvaldsdottir, a Norwegian princess who lived in the 11th century. She was the daughter of King Ragnvald of Västergötland and married King Harald Hardrade of Norway.

Another notable figure from history was Ingrid of Sweden (1263-1292), a Swedish princess and the daughter of King Valdemar Birgersson. She played an important role in negotiating peace treaties between Sweden and Denmark in the late 13th century.

In the Middle Ages, the name Ingrid was also popular among the nobility in various parts of Europe, particularly in Scandinavia and Germany. One example is Ingrid of Denmark (1396-1436), who was a Danish princess and the wife of Duke Eric of Pomerania.

During the Viking Age, the name Ingrid was closely associated with the Norse goddess Freya, who was considered the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. This association may have contributed to the popularity of the name in ancient Scandinavian cultures.

Other notable historical figures with the name Ingrid include Ingrid Bergman (1915-1982), the acclaimed Swedish actress who won three Academy Awards, and Ingrid Jonker (1933-1965), a South African poet who was a prominent figure in the Afrikaans literary movement.