A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Ida since 1880
Babies named Ida per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ida's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 18,283 |
| 1890s | 21,212 |
| 1900s | 18,866 |
| 1910s | 34,792 |
| 1920s | 35,619 |
| 1930s | 20,233 |
| 1940s | 14,291 |
| 1950s | 9,761 |
| 1960s | 5,605 |
| 1970s | 2,838 |
| 1980s | 1,687 |
| 1990s | 1,067 |
| 2000s | 917 |
| 2010s | 1,488 |
| 2020s | 1,270 |
Meaning & origin
Ida is a short, sturdy Germanic name that peaked in the U.S. in 1880 when it was the top-ranked name. After decades of decline, it has been rising again since 2003. In 2025 it ranked 1120th, given to about 1 in every 7,690 girls. The name was especially popular in the upper Midwest, ranking highest in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin during its 1880s heyday. It has a classic, vintage feel that appeals to parents looking for a simple but strong name with historical roots.
Ida derives from the Germanic element 'id', meaning 'work' or 'labor'. It was a popular name among early medieval European royalty, borne by a saint and several Anglo-Saxon princesses. The name experienced a revival in the 19th century and was especially common in the United States during the 1880s.
Where Ida 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.
“Ida” around the world
Where Ida lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
30
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
New Zealand
10
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Ida
Sibling names for Ida
Names that share Ida's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Clara, Mabel, Edith, Alice, Ella, Edna, Altha, Annika, Belva, Elida, Elma, Elva, Elvia, Esta, Hilma, Leota, Lida, Lona, Luella, Maude, Meta, Ola, Oma, Ona, Ova, Reta, Atha, Corena, Edra, Elba, Elna, Etha, Hertha, Ilda, Leonia, Maja, Minna, Oda, Rea, Sula, Veva, Vilma, Adda, Anona, Arta, Arva, Bula, Docia, Eline, Eller, Elnor, Eola, Evah, Fredonia, Imo, Leida, Leitha, Lella, Leoda, Merla, Mertice, Olinda, Olla, Orlena, Orma, Otila, Ottilia, Reeda, Roena, Sanna, Signa, Valeda, Vara, Anola, Arloa, Clema, Detta, Exa, Frona, Gola, Hermie, Ica, Lether, Matha, Obera, Oleva, Oneita, Orena, Osa, Reida, Varina, Veneda, Veria, Vinia, Edit, Elvy, Ovida, Adelma, Agusta, Aldina, Arra, Beda, Bitha, Burna, Dula, Ermina, Evona, Ezma, Guida, Guila, Isma, Itha, Loyda, Ninnie, Octa, Olar, Omah, Otie, Phala, Tressia
Brothers: Oscar, Arthur, Walter, Frederick, Henry, Alvah, Eber, Galen, Mikael, Olen, Olin, Rufus, Almon, Arno, Clem, Geo, Jona, Micha, Ab, Alf, Alfons, Ancel, Berl, Christoffer, Edvin, Erman, Harve, Hoy, Isidor, Ivin, Orlo, Orvel, Orvin, Tilmon, Virgel, Aldin, Alvy, Ebb, Jesper, Julis, Kaj, Mads, Niklas, Odes, Sebron, Verdis, Isador, Alphus, Avo, Cleatus, Donat, Edras, Gid, Loyed, Olis, Ordean, Rastus
