Hildred is a female given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English name Hilda, which means "battle" or "fight". The name Hildred was particularly popular in England during the Middle Ages and it was often associated with royalty. For example, Hildred was the name of a 10th-century Anglo-Saxon queen who was married to King Æthelstan. Throughout history, the name Hildred has been used sparingly but consistently, appearing in various forms across different cultures. Despite its somewhat obscure usage today, the name Hildred carries with it a rich and storied history that spans centuries and continents.
Between the years 1911 and 1963, the name Hildred was given to a total of 421 babies born in the United States. The popularity of this name varied greatly over these decades.
The earliest year with recorded births for the name Hildred is 1911, with five newborns bearing this name that year. This number remained consistent at five births in 1912 as well. However, there was a notable increase to nine births in 1913, indicating an uptick in parents choosing this name during this time.
The years from 1914 to 1920 saw fluctuations in the number of newborn girls named Hildred, ranging from ten births in 1914 down to six in 1927. Interestingly, there was a significant spike from 1921 to 1923, with fifteen births each year during this period.
The 1930s showed a varied trend as well. The highest number of Hildred births during this decade occurred in 1932 with sixteen newborn girls named Hildred. The lowest point was reached again in the late thirties with just seven births each year from 1936 to 1938.
Throughout the 1940s and into the early 50s, the name Hildred's popularity seemed to be waning. There were only seven or fewer Hildred births per year between 1942 and 1951, with the exception of ten births in both 1940 and 1951.
The late fifties saw a slight resurgence with seven births each in 1957 and 1950. However, the popularity declined again by the early sixties, with only five or six Hildred births per year between 1959 and 1963.
Overall, while Hildred was not one of the most popular baby girl names during this period, it maintained a steady presence among U.S. births over nearly half a century. The name's popularity peaked during the early 1920s but generally experienced declines throughout the decades, reaching its lowest point in the late sixties.