A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Nelda since 1884
Babies named Nelda per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 28 |
| 1890s | 74 |
| 1900s | 235 |
| 1910s | 1,130 |
| 1920s | 3,170 |
| 1930s | 4,931 |
| 1940s | 4,870 |
| 1950s | 3,211 |
| 1960s | 1,488 |
| 1970s | 536 |
| 1980s | 254 |
| 1990s | 99 |
| 2000s | 57 |
| 2010s | 28 |
| 2020s | 28 |
Meaning & origin
Nelda first appeared in U.S. records in 1884 and saw its peak popularity in 1938, during which decade it was a common choice for girls, particularly in the 1930s. After a long period of decline, the name has been slowly rising again since 2012, though it remains extremely rare. In 2025, only about 1 in every 160,727 girls born was named Nelda, placing it at rank 9,457. The name's revival suggests a renewed interest in vintage, short forms, though it has never regained the widespread use it enjoyed in the early 20th century. No single U.S. state had a notable concentration of Neldas in recent years, reflecting its scattered use across the country.
Nelda is likely a modern coinage, possibly derived as a feminine form of Nels (a Scandinavian diminutive of Niels, itself a Danish form of Nicholas) or as a variant of the German name Nilda. It emerged in the United States in the late 19th century and saw its peak popularity in the 1930s. The name may also have been influenced by other -elda names like Zelda or Thelma.
Where Nelda 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nel, Nellie, Neldie
Sibling names for Nelda
Names that share Nelda's style, for a brother or sister.
