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Imelda

Girl name · Mexican

Meaninguniversal battle · Germanic

Imelda is a Mexican girl name meaning “universal battle”, with Germanic roots. Germanic names were often built from two words, such as strength, protection or fame, joined into one. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.

Did you know?

  • Word funImelda doesn't repeat a single letter: 6 letters, all different.
  • GenerationImelda peaked in 1911, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
  • Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Imelda would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 48,780 baby girls got the name in 2025.
  • HistoryImelda first shows up in US birth records in 1891, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 134 years since.
Baby smiling with eyes closed
hello, little Imelda

US births per million girls, 1891–2025

05010018911920196020002025

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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).

About the name Imelda

Imelda is a girl name of Mexican origin meaning “universal battle”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It was most fashionable in the 1910s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.

Origin:Mexican names

More Mexican girl names

Questions about the name Imelda

What does the name Imelda mean?

Imelda means “universal battle” and comes from Germanic. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Emma (“whole, universal”), Emmett (“whole, universal”), Emmy (“whole, universal”) and Emmie (“whole, universal”).

What is the origin of the name Imelda?

Imelda is Mexican in origin, and its meaning traces back to Germanic. Other Mexican names to consider are Olivia (“olive tree”), Emma (“whole, universal”), Amelia (“work, industrious”) and Mia (“possibly beloved”).

Is Imelda a boy or girl name?

Imelda is a girl name. In 2025, 33 US girls were named Imelda.

How popular is the name Imelda?

Imelda ranked #4,265 for US girls in 2025, given to 33 babies. Its best year was 1911, when it reached #766. Over the last five years it has slipped 658 places.

What names are similar to Imelda?

If you like Imelda, you might also like Emma, Emmett, Emmy and Emmie.

What should I know before naming my baby Imelda?

Imelda is a Mexican girl name meaning “universal battle”, with Germanic roots. Germanic names were often built from two words, such as strength, protection or fame, joined into one. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.