Hildur
A girl's name of Norse origin with 718 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
a female given name
Hildur is a girl's baby name of Norse origin, derived from the Old Norse hildr, meaning 'battle.' In Norse mythology, Hildr was one of the Valkyries — warrior maidens who chose the slain in battle — making Hildur a name with profound mythological resonance. It remains a traditional name in Iceland to this day.
Hildur Guðnadóttir, the Icelandic composer who won Academy Awards for her scores to Joker (2019) and Tár (2022), has brought fresh international recognition to this ancient name. It carries the stark, powerful beauty of Norse heritage.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Hildur is a girl's name with several decades of recorded use (1885–1933). Its Norse roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Though no longer in the top 1,000, Hildur’s 718 recorded births mean it has left a mark. Every name carries the accumulated identity of the people who have worn it — and Hildur has decades of that history.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Hildur has 43+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1885.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 6 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 88 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 233 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 156 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 208 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 27 | — |
The Story of Hildur
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1915, Hildur is a name steeped in history. Girls named Hildur are most likely born between 1905 and 1925.
How rare is Hildur?
With 718 total births on record, Hildur remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1885, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1910s with 233 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Hildur by the numbers
- Would fill 15 school buses
- Meeting one Hildur per day would take 2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(43 years, 1885–1933)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 6 | #3934 |
| 1927 | 6 | #4521 |
| 1926 | 10 | #3145 |
| 1925 | 9 | #3499 |
| 1924 | 9 | #3496 |
| 1923 | 8 | #3771 |
| 1922 | 10 | #3248 |
| 1921 | 21 | #1950 |
| 1920 | 15 | #2401 |
| 1919 | 18 | #2023 |
| 1918 | 27 | #1552 |
| 1917 | 23 | #1619 |
| 1916 | 32 | #1288 |
| 1915 | 32 | #1238 |
| 1914 | 23 | #1318 |
| 1913 | 22 | #1195 |
| 1912 | 26 | #1015 |
| 1911 | 15 | #1202 |
| 1910 | 15 | #1183 |
| 1909 | 9 | #1523 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hildur a boy's or girl's name?
When was Hildur most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1885–1933