Hildegard Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Hildegard is of Old German origin, meaning 'battle enclosure'. It evolved through various forms in Latin and French before becoming established in modern usage. The name is associated with strength and wisdom, especially through the historical figure Hildegard of Bingen, and has no direct biblical relevance.
The name Hildegard is most popular in Minnesota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Hildegard has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast. Across generations, 'Hildegard' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 953rd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1639th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4170th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 15428th out of 19264 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 9386th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Hildegard' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Hildegard"
Pronunciation
/ˈhɪl.də.ɡɑːrd/
Origin
Old German
Etymology
The name Hildegard is derived from the Old High German elements 'hild' meaning 'battle' and 'gard' meaning 'enclosure' or 'protection'.
Meaning
battle enclosure
Language Evolution
Hildegardus (Latinized form), Hildegarde (French form), Hildegard (Modern German and English form)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly in German-speaking regions due to notable figures like Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century abbess, writer, and composer.
Variants & Derivatives
Hilde, Hilda, Hildegarde
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Hildegard is viewed as a traditional and strong name, often associated with wisdom and creativity, especially due to the legacy of Hildegard of Bingen.
Famous People
Hildegard of Bingen, Hildegard von Bingen (composer and philosopher)
Explore More Hildegard Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Hildegard"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Hildegard"
"Hildegard" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 953rd of 9107 | 1,027 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1639th of 9204 | 435 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4170th of 12526 | 166 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 15428th of 19264 | 12 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 9386th of 30306 | 131 |
Regional Popularity of "Hildegard" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Hildegard" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
40.82% 578th/1416 |
68.60% 946th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
71.09% 1099th/1546 |
51.48% 801st/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
94.32% 2292nd/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Hildegard"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Hildegard" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.