A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Golda since 1880
Babies named Golda per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1915, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Golda's real moment was 1894.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 219 |
| 1890s | 703 |
| 1900s | 882 |
| 1910s | 1,241 |
| 1920s | 937 |
| 1930s | 493 |
| 1940s | 258 |
| 1950s | 159 |
| 1960s | 92 |
| 1970s | 121 |
| 1980s | 172 |
| 1990s | 156 |
| 2000s | 260 |
| 2010s | 376 |
| 2020s | 361 |
Meaning & origin
Golda is a name of debated origin, likely from the Yiddish word for 'gold,' though it may also be a feminine form of the Hebrew name Golda. It was most popular in the United States during the 1890s, peaking in 1894, and has seen a revival since 1992. In 2025, it ranked 2,645th, with an incidence of 1 in 24,727 girls. The name was particularly common in New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, states with significant Jewish populations. Golda remains a distinctive choice with strong historical resonance.
Golda likely derives from the Yiddish word 'gold' (gold), used as a given name. It may also be considered a feminine form of the Hebrew name 'Golda' (גּוֹלְדָּה), though this Hebrew form itself may be a modern coinage. The name gained prominence through Golda Meir, the fourth Prime Minister of Israel.
Where Golda is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Golda” around the world
Where Golda lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Goldie
Sibling names for Golda
Names that share Golda's style, for a brother or sister.
