Imelda
From Romance (Italian Imelda, Spanish Imelda), from German Irmhild.
Every Imelda since 1891 — 7,476 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Imelda
Imelda is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #4,295 in 2025 with 33 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1891, 7,476 American babies have been named Imelda. Its peak came in 1978, when 149 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
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 Imelda stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Imelda year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 33 | #4,295 |
| 2024 | 42 | #3,667 |
| 2023 | 32 | #4,400 |
| 2022 | 33 | #4,317 |
| 2021 | 39 | #3,832 |
| 2020 | 41 | #3,648 |
| 2019 | 30 | #4,587 |
| 2018 | 38 | #3,879 |
| 2017 | 32 | #4,431 |
| 2016 | 35 | #4,193 |
| 2015 | 19 | #6,560 |
| 2014 | 24 | #5,534 |
| 2013 | 27 | #5,064 |
| 2012 | 33 | #4,422 |
| 2011 | 23 | #5,813 |
| 2010 | 25 | #5,492 |
| 2009 | 35 | #4,304 |
| 2008 | 41 | #3,889 |
| 2007 | 49 | #3,399 |
| 2006 | 58 | #2,949 |
| 2005 | 55 | #2,945 |
| 2004 | 50 | #3,091 |
| 2003 | 55 | #2,812 |
| 2002 | 42 | #3,295 |
| 2001 | 68 | #2,342 |
| 2000 | 57 | #2,605 |
| 1995 | 89 | #1,657 |
| 1990 | 88 | #1,674 |
| 1985 | 71 | #1,657 |
| 1980 | 119 | #1,143 |
| 1975 | 137 | #931 |
| 1970 | 116 | #1,054 |
| 1965 | 77 | #1,233 |
| 1960 | 78 | #1,241 |
| 1955 | 76 | #1,147 |
| 1950 | 59 | #1,205 |
| 1945 | 34 | #1,384 |
| 1940 | 34 | #1,281 |
| 1935 | 41 | #1,089 |
| 1930 | 68 | #871 |
| 1925 | 54 | #1,025 |
| 1920 | 50 | #1,057 |
| 1915 | 55 | #886 |
| 1910 | 17 | #1,089 |
| 1905 | 12 | #1,123 |
| 1900 | 13 | #1,076 |
| 1895 | 7 | #1,354 |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Imelda
- Imelda Marcos Companion · b. 1929
- Imelda Staunton Actor · b. 1956
- Imelda May Musician · b. 1974
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Imelda mean?
From Romance (Italian Imelda, Spanish Imelda), from German Irmhild.
How popular is the name Imelda in 2025?
Imelda ranked #4,295 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 33 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Imelda?
7,476 babies have been named Imelda in the United States since 1891, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Imelda most popular?
Imelda peaked in 1978, when 149 newborns received the name.
Is Imelda a boy or girl name?
Imelda is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Imelda rising or falling?
Imelda is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Imelda?
Well-known people named Imelda include Imelda Marcos (companion), Imelda Staunton (actor), Imelda May (musician).