Hildagarde is a unique and historic feminine given name of Germanic origin. It is composed of two elements: "hildi," which means "battle," and "gard," meaning "enclosure" or "protection." Therefore, the name Hildagarde can be interpreted as "battle enclosure" or "protected battle."
The name Hildagarde was particularly popular during the Middle Ages in Germany and other Germanic-speaking regions. It is often associated with St. Hildagarde of Bingen, a 12th-century abbess, composer, philosopher, and visionary who made significant contributions to various fields, including music, medicine, and theology.
Despite its rich history and unique meaning, the name Hildagarde has become quite rare in recent times, making it an excellent choice for parents seeking an uncommon yet meaningful moniker for their daughter. It offers a connection to the past while still sounding fresh and distinctive in modern times.
The statistics provided show the number of births for the name Hildagarde in the United States from 1898 to 1940. Over this period of 43 years, there were a total of 206 babies named Hildagarde.
The name's popularity varied over time, with some years seeing more than ten births and others less than five. The peak in popularity was reached between 1915 and 1920, during which time there were over fifteen births each year. This trend continued into the early 1930s but then started to decline.
Interestingly, even though there were fluctuations in the number of babies named Hildagarde from year to year, the name consistently appeared among the birth records throughout this period. This demonstrates that while it may not have been extremely popular, the name Hildagarde remained a recognizable and chosen option for parents naming their daughters during these years.
In recent decades, however, it seems that the name Hildagarde has fallen out of favor, as it is no longer among the most commonly given names in the United States. Despite this decline in popularity, the name still holds historical significance due to its consistent presence throughout much of the early 20th century.