Imelda
Meaning of Imelda
Imelda is a feminine given name of medieval Germanic provenance, derived from the compound elements ermen, denoting “whole” or “universal,” and hild, signifying “battle,” which was subsequently assimilated into the lexica of Romance languages—particularly Spanish and Italian—before attaining its standardized English form and pronunciation (/ɪˈmɛldə/). It carries enduring ecclesiastical resonance through its association with Saint Imelda Lambertini (1322–1333), venerated as the patroness of First Communicants, and assumes modern socio-political significance in connection with Imelda Marcos, former First Lady of the Philippines. Longitudinal demographic data in the United States reveal that Imelda has sustained a consistently modest usage profile, peaking at 58 recorded births (rank 933) in 2016 and registering 42 occurrences (rank 908) in 2024, a pattern that underscores its appeal to parents seeking a name characterized by historical depth, linguistic precision and discreet rarity.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as ih-MEL-duh (/ɪˈmɛldə/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Imelda
| Imelda Marcos is a Filipino politician, former First Lady of the Philippines, and mother of President Bongbong Marcos. |
| Imelda Staunton is an award-winning English actress and singer known for her work in theatre, film and television. |
| Imelda May is an Irish singer, songwriter and television presenter known for her rockabilly sound and jazz influences. |
| Imelda Papin is a Filipino singer known for her heartfelt ballads who also served as vice governor of Camarines Sur. |
| Imelda Lambertini was an Italian Catholic mystic and patroness of children receiving their First Communion. |
| Imelda Namutebi is a Ugandan pastor who founded Liberty Worship Centre and became the first woman to build a 15000 seat church in East Africa. |
| Imelda Quibranza Dimaporo is a Filipina politician who has served as governor and congressional representative of Lanao del Norte. |
| Imelda Ximenes Belo - Imelda Felicyta Ximenes Belo is a Timorese swimmer who represented East Timor in the 50 metre freestyle at the 2020 Olympics. |
