Girl
Germanic
2 syllables
Ida
EYE-duh
/ˈaɪ.də/
"Work" — a crisp, ancient Germanic name of quiet diligence and Viking-age strength
Ida derives from the Germanic element id meaning work or labour, and was borne by several early medieval saints. It was also the name of a figure in Norse mythology and appears in Tennyson's poem The Princess. Popular throughout the 19th century, Ida fell from fashion in the mid-20th century but has been experiencing a warm revival as parents seek short, strong vintage names.
Quick Facts
Letters3
SyllablesI · da
GenderGirl
OriginGermanic
Root Wordid
MeaningWork, labour
PopularityFamiliar
Peak Year1900
Trend
↑ Rising
Name DaySeptember 4
Nicknames
Idee
About the Name Ida
Ida comes from the Germanic id meaning work or labour. Some sources also connect it to Norse mythology and the concept of diligence.
Yes. Ida was extremely popular around 1900 and is now experiencing a revival as parents rediscover short, crisp Victorian names.
Ida is widely used in Scandinavia and ranks in the top names in Denmark and Norway. Its Germanic roots make it feel naturally at home in Nordic cultures.
Idas are often seen as capable, self-reliant, and quietly determined — reflecting the name's meaning of work and its association with pioneering historical figures.
Ida Rose, Ida May, and Ida Grace are beautiful vintage combinations. Ida Louise and Ida Claire offer a slightly more formal feel.
Ida is pronounced EYE-duh, rhyming with spider without the sp. It is a simple two-syllable name with clear pronunciation.
Personality of Ida
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Ida
Creativity
68%
Elegance
72%
Independence
86%
Intelligence
80%
Strength
82%
Warmth
74%
Famous People Named Ida
I
Ida B. Wells
American journalist and civil rights leader who investigated lynching in the South
I
Ida Lupino
British-American actress and director, one of the first women to direct Hollywood films
I
Ida Rentoul Outhwaite
Australian illustrator known for her whimsical fairy art
Middle Names for Ida
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Ida
Ida May
Ida Rose
Ida Grace
Ida Louise
Ida Pearl
Ida Claire
Ida Frances
Ida Ruth
Ida Elise
Ida Jane
Names Similar to Ida
Similar Sound
Similar Meaning
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Ida
400s
Saint Ida of Herzfeld establishes the name as a Christian virtue name in Germanic Europe
1847
Tennyson's poem The Princess features Princess Ida, boosting Victorian interest in the name
1900
Ida reaches peak US popularity, ranking in the top 20 girl names
2015
Ida begins a notable revival as part of the short vintage name trend
Numerology & Symbolism of Ida
5
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
1
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Capricorn
1
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
White
💎
Lucky Stone
Diamond
🌸
Lucky Flower
Daisy
Ida Around the World
How Ida is written in different languages and scripts
إيدا
Arabic
アイダ
Japanese
Ида
Russian
아이다
Korean
艾达
Chinese
Ίδα
Greek
इडा
Hindi
אידה
Hebrew
Looking for Name Ideas?
Explore our name inspiration guides