Hilda

Hilda is a feminine given name of Germanic origin. It comes from the Old Norse hildr, meaning battle, and is linked to a class of names formed with the same element, such as Hildr and Hild- variants. The form has long been common in Northern Europe and has been used in English, Scandinavian, and German-speaking regions. In some cases, Hilda appears as a shortened form of longer names beginning with Hild-.

Saint Hilda of Whitby (c. 614–680) was an Anglo-Saxon abbess who led Whitby Abbey in what is now North Yorkshire, England. She is venerated as a saint in various Christian traditions and is associated with the scholarly and religious activity centered at Whitby, a site linked to early English Christianity and the Synod of Whitby in 664.

Hilda Doolittle, known by the initials H.D. (1886–1961), was an American poet influential in the Imagist and Modernist movements. Her work helped shape early 20th-century poetry, and she published under the name H.D., a name that has continued to be studied in literary circles.

In contemporary popular culture, Hilda is the title character of the Netflix animated series Hilda (2018–present), based on Luke Pearson’s graphic novels. The show follows a fearless blue-haired girl as she encounters magical creatures and adventures in the city of Trollberg and beyond.

Overall, Hilda remains a recognizable given name with historical and cultural resonance, used across various countries and media types.