Holding steady.
Popularity of Nilda since 1911
Babies named Nilda per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 41 |
| 1920s | 118 |
| 1930s | 149 |
| 1940s | 253 |
| 1950s | 813 |
| 1960s | 834 |
| 1970s | 496 |
| 1980s | 292 |
| 1990s | 157 |
| 2000s | 73 |
| 2010s | 18 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Nilda has a history of steady, modest use in the United States, with records dating back to at least 1911. The name peaked in popularity in 1957, when it ranked 419th for girls. Over the decades its usage decreased, and by 1996 it dropped off the top 1000 entirely. Despite its absence from the national rankings, Nilda has maintained a stable profile, remaining in occasional use among families with Spanish or Italian heritage. The name is often recognized as a short form of Brunilda or Brunilde, sharing the battle-associated Germanic root 'hild' found in names like Hilda and Matilda.
Nilda originated as a diminutive of names such as Brunilda (Spanish) or Brunilde (Italian), derived from the Germanic element 'hild' meaning 'battle'. It became established as an independent given name primarily in Spanish- and Italian-speaking communities, especially in the mid-20th century.
“Nilda” around the world
Where Nilda 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: Nildi, Nina, Dita
Variants: Nilde
Sibling names for Nilda
Names that share Nilda's style, for a brother or sister.
