Meaning & origin
A reliable meaning for Ethelda isn’t established in our sources yet. Rather than guess, we show what is recorded: how the name is used, how often, and the names it’s connected to.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1910. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Ethelda through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 396
- 0 boys · 396 girls
- Most popular year
- 1920
- 37 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for girls is 5 in 1962. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused. Its largest published annual count for girls was 37 in 1920. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 136 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Ethelda’s family of names
Ethelda has a related form in Ethel.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Ethelda
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Ethelda, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Elda
“a battlemaiden; a protector”
>99% girls
Eda
Eda is a variant of Edith. One English interpretation is “the spoils of war; one who is joyous; a treasure.”
>99% girls
Alida
“small and winged”
>99% girls
Erma
“one who is complete; universal”
>99% girls
Arietta
“a short but beautiful melody”
>99% girls
Elnora
“shining light”
>99% girls
Elma
“having God's protection”
>99% girls
Freda
“a peaceful ruler” · “peaceful friend”
>99% girls