Imelda

Imelda is a form of the old German name Irmhild and has Italian and Spanish roots. The name means 'the great warrior' and is composed of the Old High German terms irmin, meaning 'all-encompassing, great, powerful,' and hiltja, meaning 'battle.'

What does the name Imelda mean?

Imelda is derived from the historical name Irmhild and carries the meaning 'the great warrior.' This meaning arises from the Old High German elements irmin for 'all-encompassing, great, powerful' and hiltja for 'battle.' The name's popularity was boosted by the veneration of Blessed Imelda Lambertini, a nun from Bologna, who is regarded as the patroness of First Holy Communion. Today, the first name Imelda is especially common in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia and the Philippines. Variants of the name include Imelde and Melda.

Where does the name Imelda come from?

The name Imelda has its roots in Old High German and means 'the great warrior.' The components consist of irmin, which means 'all-encompassing, great, powerful,' and hiltja, which means 'battle.' Languages in which the name appears include Indonesian, Italian, Catalan, Filipino, Spanish, and Tagalog.

How do you pronounce Imelda?

The name Imelda is three syllables long and has a gentle sound structure. In German pronunciation, it is typically pronounced as 'I-mel-da' [iˈmɛlda]. The name begins with a clear, closed I sound that leaves a slight impression. The emphasis is on the middle syllable, which gives the name a tonal depth. The darker 'mel' harmoniously connects with the soft ending on '-da,' resulting in a balanced overall impression – feminine, melodic, and calm.

When is the name day of Imelda?

The name day for Imelda is celebrated on May 12, in memory of Imelda Lambertini.

Popularity

In Germany, Imelda is among the common first names. In 2023, the name ranked 3,880th on the list of the most popular female baby names. The best ranking for Imelda was in 1934, when it reached 187th place. In the last ten years, the name has been given about 50 times, placing it 3,615th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 3,930th.

Nicknames & pet names

Imi / Medi / Mel / Mela / Melda

Famous people

• Imelda (Saint, patroness of First Communion children)
• Imelda Chiappa (cyclist from Italy)
• Imelda Gruber (Italian luger)
• Imelda Martinez (swimmer)
• Imelda May (Irish singer)
• Imelda Papin (Filipino musician)
• Imelda Romuáldez Marcos (former First Lady of the Philippines)
• Imelda Staunton (actress)
• Imelda Therinne (British actress)
• Imelda Wiguna (Indonesian badminton player)