A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Hildegard since 1888
Babies named Hildegard per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1915, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Hildegard's real moment was 1906.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6 |
| 1890s | 130 |
| 1900s | 219 |
| 1910s | 483 |
| 1920s | 436 |
| 1930s | 276 |
| 1940s | 108 |
| 1950s | 93 |
| 1960s | 42 |
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 52 |
| 2020s | 94 |
Meaning & origin
Hildegard is a name with deep Germanic roots, famously associated with the 12th-century mystic Hildegard of Bingen. After peaking in popularity in 1906 at rank 7491, the name fell out of common use but has seen a modest revival since 2012. In 2025, it was given to approximately 1 in 114,805 girls, reflecting its rarity and niche appeal. The name's trajectory indicates a resurgence among parents seeking distinctive historical names, particularly in the United States.
Hildegard is a classic German name composed of the Old High German elements 'hild' (battle) and 'gard' (enclosure, protection). It was borne by the influential 12th-century Benedictine abbess, mystic, and polymath Hildegard of Bingen. The name was especially popular in German-speaking regions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hilda, Hildie, Hilly
Variants: Hildegarde, Hildigard
Sibling names for Hildegard
Names that share Hildegard's style, for a brother or sister.
