Holding steady.
Popularity of Hildegarde since 1885
Babies named Hildegarde per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 24 |
| 1890s | 183 |
| 1900s | 294 |
| 1910s | 719 |
| 1920s | 563 |
| 1930s | 308 |
| 1940s | 149 |
| 1950s | 68 |
| 1960s | 18 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Hildegarde is a classic Germanic name that saw its greatest U.S. popularity in the early 20th century, peaking in 1915. Despite being first recorded in 1885, it never ranked in the top 1,000, remaining a rare choice. The name's trajectory is stable but minuscule, and its revival has not been observed in modern decades. Historically, it is tied to the influential figure of Saint Hildegard of Bingen, lending it a legacy of intellect and spirituality. Today, Hildegarde is considered a vintage name, appealing to those seeking an old-world feel.
Hildegarde is a Germanic compound name formed from 'hild' meaning 'battle' and 'gard' meaning 'enclosure' or 'protection'. It was popularized in medieval Germany and spread to other European regions. The name is particularly associated with Saint Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century Benedictine abbess and polymath.
“Hildegarde” around the world
Where Hildegarde 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: Hildy, Hilda
Variants: Hildegard, Hildegarde, Hildagard
Sibling names for Hildegarde
Names that share Hildegarde's style, for a brother or sister.
