Idela as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Idela

What is the meaning of the name Idela ?

The baby name Idela is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced ih-DEE-lah (IPA: /ɪˈdiːlə/) — alternate: ID-eh-lə (IPA: /ˈɪdələ/).

Idela is Germanic in Origin.

Idela is a rare feminine name generally regarded as a streamlined variant of Idella, itself an elaboration of Ida. Ida descends from Old High German id, meaning “work” or “industry,” and is sometimes connected with Old Norse ið, “activity.” Accordingly, Idela carries the sense of “industrious,” “energetic,” or “diligent.” The name belongs to the broad family of 19th‑century -ella/-a formations that softened older Germanic roots for fashionable use.

Use of Idela appears sporadically in late 19th- and early 20th‑century records in the United States, likely influenced by the Victorian revival of Ida, popularized in part by Tennyson’s Princess Ida. While Ida is pan‑European and especially common in Scandinavia and German‑speaking regions, Idela remains uncommon and English‑leaning. Related forms and near‑variants include Ida, Idella, Idelle/Idell, Idelia, and the phonetic cousin Idalia (of Greek toponymic origin). Possible nicknames are Ide, Dela, and Dell.

⚙ Idela is extremely rare. Our whole dataset turns up only 19 recorded uses, across 9 countries.