Nelda
Every Nelda since 1884 — 20,144 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nelda
Nelda is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #9,906 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1884, 20,144 American babies have been named Nelda. Its peak came in 1938, when 567 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1930s.
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 Nelda stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nelda year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | #9,906 | — | — |
| 2024 | 11 | #9,387 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 7 | #13,198 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | 6 | #15,077 | — | — |
| 2018 | 6 | #15,143 | — | — |
| 2017 | 5 | #17,707 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | 6 | #15,879 | — | — |
| 2014 | 5 | #18,470 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | 6 | #17,010 | — | — |
| 2006 | 9 | #12,143 | — | — |
| 2005 | 8 | #12,692 | — | — |
| 2004 | 5 | #18,037 | — | — |
| 2003 | 10 | #10,219 | — | — |
| 2002 | 5 | #17,357 | — | — |
| 2001 | 7 | #13,078 | — | — |
| 2000 | 7 | #12,764 | — | — |
| 1995 | 10 | #8,537 | — | — |
| 1990 | 7 | #11,019 | — | — |
| 1985 | 17 | #4,586 | — | — |
| 1980 | 32 | #2,843 | — | — |
| 1975 | 56 | #1,702 | — | — |
| 1970 | 74 | #1,417 | — | — |
| 1965 | 130 | #877 | — | — |
| 1960 | 235 | #662 | — | — |
| 1955 | 361 | #476 | — | — |
| 1950 | 375 | #414 | — | — |
| 1945 | 451 | #320 | — | — |
| 1940 | 540 | #268 | — | — |
| 1935 | 473 | #281 | 5 | #4,009 |
| 1930 | 434 | #317 | — | — |
| 1925 | 315 | #385 | — | — |
| 1920 | 224 | #451 | — | — |
| 1915 | 146 | #521 | — | — |
| 1910 | 29 | #808 | — | — |
| 1905 | 25 | #726 | — | — |
| 1900 | 27 | #698 | — | — |
| 1895 | 12 | #968 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Nelda in 2025?
Nelda ranked #9,906 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nelda?
20,144 babies have been named Nelda in the United States since 1884, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nelda most popular?
Nelda peaked in 1938, when 567 newborns received the name.
Is Nelda a boy or girl name?
Nelda is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nelda rising or falling?
Nelda is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.