Hildegarde Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Hildegarde is of Old High German origin, meaning 'battle protector'. The name has evolved through various historical forms and is associated with strong female figures, particularly in the medieval period. It lacks biblical relevance but has a rich cultural significance, often reflecting traits of strength and protection.
The name Hildegarde is most popular in Wisconsin, 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, Hildegarde has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South. Across generations, 'Hildegarde' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 815th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1463rd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4798th out of 12526 names. Discover how the name 'Hildegarde' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Hildegarde"
Pronunciation
/ˈhɪl.dɪ.ɡɑːrd/
Origin
Old High German
Etymology
The name Hildegarde is derived from the Old High German elements 'hildi', meaning 'battle', and 'gard', meaning 'enclosure' or 'protection'. Thus, it can be interpreted as 'battle protector'.
Meaning
battle protector
Language Evolution
Hildegardus, Hildegarde, Hildegard
Historical Usage
Hildegarde was popularized in the early medieval period, particularly in German-speaking regions, and has been associated with several saints and historical figures, contributing to its usage in various cultures.
Variants & Derivatives
Hildegarde, Hildegard, Hilda
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Hildegarde is considered somewhat old-fashioned, but it is viewed positively due to its historical significance and associations with strong female figures.
Famous People
Hildegard of Bingen, Hildegarde Neff
Explore More Hildegarde Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Hildegarde"
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 "Hildegarde"
"Hildegarde" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 815th of 9107 | 1,446 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1463rd of 9204 | 515 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4798th of 12526 | 128 |
Regional Popularity of "Hildegarde" 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 "Hildegarde" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
36.51% 517th/1416 |
47.50% 655th/1379 |
100.00% 2366th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
70.89% 1096th/1546 |
54.11% 842nd/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 "Hildegarde"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Hildegarde" 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.