Origin, Meaning, And History Of Ida
Ida is derived from the Germanic element id, which means ‘hard working’ or ‘the industrious one.’ It is often considered a diminutive of the Old Germanic name “Iduberga,” one of many common names beginning with “Id-.” Some argue that “Ida” is derived from the Germanic “hild,” meaning “battle.” In Japanese, “Ida” is a habitational name given to those from Ida-mura in Musashi, Tokyo, or Saitama prefectures.
In Old High German, “Idis” means “wise woman,” and “Ida” could be a derivative. It is also associated with the Norse goddess Iðunn, the goddess of apples and poetry. In Sanskrit, “Ida” means “flow of praise,” “sacred speech,” or “earth.”
King Ida of Bernicia was a ruler of an Anglo-Saxon kingdom, now in present-day southeast Scotland and north east England, settled by the Angles. He is one of the first known people named “Ida.”
The name “Ida” is also associated with Greek and Hindu mythologies. In Greek mythology, Mount Ida is the birthplace of the god Zeus, who was nursed by mountain nymphs. Today, the Idean caves are a popular tourist spot. In Hindu mythology, “Ida” is the goddess of speech associated with the goddess of learning, Sarasvati.
The name “Ida” was particularly popular in Europe, especially in Germany and the Scandinavian countries. It gained popularity in the America in later years, particularly in the US, where it was prevalent in the 1880s, ranking in the top 10.
In 1847, Lord Alfred Tennyson wrote a humorous poem called “The Princess” withPrincess Idaas a feminist Victorian-era royal. Later, the poem was adapted as a comic opera, “Princess Ida,” by Gilbert and Sullivan.
“Ida Barlow”is a character in the British soap opera Coronation Street,“Ida Blankenship”is a recurring character in the American TV series Mad Men, and“Ida Davis”appears in Family Guy. “Ida” is also the name of Arlo’s mother in The Good Dinosaur, and Gertrude Stein’s novel“Ida: A Novel”features the eponymous character.
Ida
How To Pronounce Ida?
Famous People With The Name Ida
- Ida BarneyAmerican astronomer known for writing 22 volumes of astronomical measurements on 150,000 stars
- Ida Lupino英美的女演员,歌手,导演,作家, and producer known as the first female to direct a film noir
- Ida WymanAmerican photographer known for her documentary New York street life photos
- Ida B. WellsAmerican investigative journalist and early leader in the civil rights movement
- Ida ApplebroogAmerican multimedia painter who has won various awards for her work
Ida On The Popularity Chart
The name Ida has seen highs and lows throughout its time. These graphs show how the name has fared over the years.
Popularity Over Time
Ida was a fairly common name in 1980, with 209 infants per million bearing the name. The popularity of the name, however, declined after 1982. After 2012, the popularity of the name increased again further, reaching 217 infants per million in 2021.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The name’s rank has fluctuated in tandem with its popularity. The name had ranked 786 in 1980. Through the years, its standing has altered, falling as low as 2,275 in 2006. In later years, it improved and in 2021, it was rated 1,127.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Ida
If the name Ida grabbed your attention, here are some other names you might like. They sound similar to Ida but may have different meanings.
Popular Sibling Names For Ida
Other Popular Names Beginning With I
Names With Similar Meaning As Ida
The name Ida has a great meaning. Here are some names that have a similar meaning to Ida.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Ida
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Ida?
The name Ida means a woman who is hardworking.
2. What is the origin of the name Ida?
Ida has an Ancient Germanic origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Ida?
Ida is pronounced as ai-duh.
4. Is Ida an old-fashioned name?
Though Ida is an old name with Germanic and Norse roots, it is still relevant and widely used, particularly in Germany and the Scandinavian countries. Hence, it cannot be called an old-fashioned name.
5. How rare is the name Ida?
Since its inclusion in SSA records in 1900, the name Ida has seen a gradual decrease in popularity. Its popularity peaked in 1900 when 2,285 baby girls were named Ida. However, it dropped o only 156 babies per million in 1986. After that, there is no record of the name’s usage in the US (1).
6. Is Ida a Viking name?
No, Ida is not a Viking name per se. The name is said to be inspired by Norse mythology where Ida is associated with Iðunn, a goddess known for her association with apples and eternal youth (2).
7. Can Ida be used as a boy’s name?
Ida is more commonly used as a feminine name nowadays and does not have many notable masculine namesakes. However, one prominent bearer is King Ida of Bernicia, an Anglo-Saxon ruler from the early medieval period.
8. What are some middle names that go well with Ida?
If you’re looking for a middle name for the given name Ida, three-lettered options can complement the sound of Ida nicely. You may consider middle names like Ava meaning ‘voice’ or ‘sound,’ Mia meaning ‘mine,’ Zoe meaning ‘life,’ and Amy meaning ‘beloved.’
9. What is the historical significance of the name Ida?
The name Ida has a fascinating history of bearers. King Ida, also known as Ida of Bernicia, was a ruler of the Anglian kingdom of Bernicia in what is now northeast England and southeast Scotland during the early medieval period. He is one of the earliest recorded individuals known to bear the name Ida. Furthermore, Ida Bell Wells-Barnett was a prominent African-American journalist, suffragist, and civil rights activist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (3). She played a significant role in the anti-lynching movement and fought for the rights of African Americans.
10. Is Ida a name commonly used in any particular culture or country?
Ida is a feminine name widely used in Europe and North America. The name was particularly popular in Germany and Scandinavian countries where it was pronounced Ee-da. The name continues to top the charts in Nordic countries.
11. What are some nicknames for the name Ida?
Idie, Idi, Idy, Idalia, Idalina, Idabelle, Idalisa, and Idalou are some popular nickname choices for the name Ida. You may take inspiration from the above names and create your own nicknames.
References:
- Popularity of name Ida
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/ - Idunn.
https://www.worldhistory.org/Idunn/ - Ida B. Wells-Barnett, National Women’s History Museum
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/ida-b-wells-barnett
