Hulda
A girl's name of Hebrew origin with 5,407 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Huldah (biblical figure)
Hulda is a girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, from the Hebrew Ḥuldah, meaning 'weasel' or, by extension, 'mole' — though the name's significance comes from its biblical bearer, not its animal meaning. Huldah was a prophetess in the Hebrew Bible, consulted by King Josiah in the 7th century BCE.
Hulda is also a Scandinavian name meaning 'lovable, sweet' from the Old Norse Hulda. This dual heritage — biblical prophetess and Norse tradition — gives the name unusual depth. Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg immortalized the Norse Hulda in his works.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Hulda is a girl's name with over a century of recorded use (1880–1980). Its Hebrew 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, Hulda’s 5,407 recorded births mean it has left a mark. Every name carries the accumulated identity of the people who have worn it — and Hulda has decades of that history.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Hulda has 81+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 | #10951 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 7 | #7577 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 11 | #6504 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 69 | #3899 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 130 | #2884 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 240 | #1629 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 709 | #919 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 1,060 | #563 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 903 | #359 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 1,374 | #229 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 899 | #202 | — |
The Story of Hulda
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1895, Hulda is a name steeped in history. Girls named Hulda are most likely born between 1885 and 1905.
How rare is Hulda?
Hulda has 5,407 recorded births in the U.S. — a well-established name with deep roots.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, peaked in the 1890s with 1,374 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Hulda by the numbers
- Would fill 113 school buses
- Meeting one Hulda per day would take 14.8 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(81 years, 1880–1980)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 5 | #10951 |
| 1976 | 7 | #7577 |
| 1965 | 6 | #6067 |
| 1962 | 5 | #6941 |
| 1956 | 9 | #4275 |
| 1955 | 9 | #4181 |
| 1954 | 10 | #3821 |
| 1953 | 8 | #4375 |
| 1952 | 7 | #4656 |
| 1951 | 14 | #2853 |
| 1950 | 12 | #3131 |
| 1949 | 9 | #3727 |
| 1948 | 6 | #4885 |
| 1947 | 10 | #3552 |
| 1946 | 17 | #2343 |
| 1945 | 11 | #2809 |
| 1944 | 14 | #2448 |
| 1943 | 15 | #2384 |
| 1942 | 15 | #2348 |
| 1941 | 22 | #1714 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hulda a boy's or girl's name?
When was Hulda most popular?
How popular is the name Hulda?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–1980