Emelda
Every Emelda since 1907 — 1,396 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Emelda
Emelda is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1907, 1,396 American babies have been named Emelda. Its peak came in 1926, when 34 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Emelda stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Emelda year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | 5 | #16,267 |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | 6 | #15,062 |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | 5 | #16,095 |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 5 | #13,625 |
| 1985 | 7 | #8,613 |
| 1980 | 10 | #6,431 |
| 1975 | 13 | #4,666 |
| 1970 | 18 | #3,469 |
| 1965 | 14 | #3,454 |
| 1960 | 8 | #4,889 |
| 1955 | 24 | #2,235 |
| 1950 | 22 | #2,071 |
| 1945 | 11 | #2,786 |
| 1940 | 22 | #1,705 |
| 1935 | 24 | #1,519 |
| 1930 | 24 | #1,625 |
| 1925 | 25 | #1,709 |
| 1920 | 28 | #1,561 |
| 1915 | 22 | #1,588 |
| 1910 | 9 | #1,670 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Emelda in 2025?
Emelda did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Emelda?
1,396 babies have been named Emelda in the United States since 1907, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Emelda most popular?
Emelda peaked in 1926, when 34 newborns received the name.
Is Emelda a boy or girl name?
Emelda is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Emelda rising or falling?
Emelda is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.