Hulda

Meaning & origin

Hulda carries the charm of a name that flourished more than a century ago. First recorded in 1880, the year the Social Security Administration began tracking names, Hulda reached its peak popularity in 1885, when it appeared with notable frequency. Although it has since faded from common use, its stability in trajectory suggests a quiet, slow decline rather than a dramatic drop. The name's dual Nordic and Hebrew roots give it a layered history, and while no top states are recorded for Hulda, its historical use likely clustered in areas with strong Scandinavian immigration, such as the Upper Midwest. For parents drawn to vintage names with a soft, melodic sound, Hulda offers a rare but genuine option.

Hulda is a name of debated origin. It is most commonly derived from the Old Norse word 'hulda', meaning 'sweet, lovable' or 'hidden, secret'. In Hebrew, Huldah (חֻלְדָּה) means 'weasel' or 'mole', though the name is also associated with the prophetess Huldah in the Old Testament. The Scandinavian and German usage, however, likely draws from the Norse meaning. The name was relatively common in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially among families of Scandinavian or German descent.