Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Imelda
GirlItalian, Spanish· “whole battle”
- Meaning
- whole battle
- Origin
- Italian, Spanish
- Pronunciation
- ih-MEL-duh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #4,295
- US babies 2025
- 33
- Best rank
- #770 (1911)
- Peak year
- 1978
Meaning and origin of Imelda
Imelda is an Italian and Spanish name that is usually said to mean “whole battle”.
Imelda is an Italian and Spanish name that developed from the Germanic Irmhild, built from irmin, whole or great, and hild, battle. The best-known historical bearer is Blessed Imelda Lambertini, a girl from Bologna in the fourteenth century who is honored in the Catholic Church as the patron of first communicants. That association spread the name through Italy, Spain, the Philippines and Latin America. The English actress Imelda Staunton has made it familiar to English-speaking audiences. It is said ih-MEL-duh. It shares its Germanic roots with Irma and Hilda, though its sound places it closer to Matilda and Melda.
Popularity over time
Imelda first appears in US Social Security records in 1891. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 30 different years, starting in 1898. Its best national rank was #770 in 1911, and the most babies received it in 1978, when 149 were named Imelda. In 2025, 33 babies were named Imelda, and it ranked #4,295 nationally. That is 74% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,057 in 1920, #1,205 in 1950, #1,143 in 1980, #2,605 in 2000, #5,492 in 2010, and #4,295 in 2025. Of the 7,476 US girls named Imelda since records began, 17% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 897 babies. Since 2010, 506 more have been named Imelda.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Lashunda, Somer, Torrie, Shawnna, and Lani.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Imelda ranked highest in California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #3283 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Imelda is usually pronounced ih-MEL-duh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with I and ends in “-da”.
Middle names for Imelda
A few middle names that flow with Imelda: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Imelda
Similar names
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yoh-LAHN-duh
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dan-YEH-luh
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Lists that include Imelda
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Imelda mean?
Imelda is an Italian and Spanish name that is usually said to mean “whole battle”.
What is the origin of the name Imelda?
Imelda has Italian, Spanish, and Germanic roots. Imelda is an Italian and Spanish name that developed from the Germanic Irmhild, built from irmin, whole or great, and hild, battle.
Is Imelda a popular name?
Not especially. Imelda ranked #4,295 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Imelda a boy or girl name?
Imelda is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Imelda?
Imelda is usually pronounced ih-MEL-duh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings