Walburga is a unique and historic given name of Germanic origin. It is derived from the elements "walh" meaning "foreign" or "stranger," and "burg" meaning "fortress." Thus, Walburga translates to "foreign fortress." The name was popularized during the Middle Ages by Saint Walburga, who was a nun and the abbess of Heidenheim in Germany. She is also one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers in Roman Catholic tradition. Walburga has never been a particularly common given name, but it is associated with elegance and rarity due to its historic significance. It is often used as a middle name or passed down through generations within families who wish to honor their heritage or have a connection to the saint. Despite its vintage sound, Walburga remains an attractive option for parents looking for a distinctive and meaningful name for their daughter.
The name Walburga appears to have been quite popular among parents in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with a total of 80 babies being named Walburga over a span of approximately 35 years. The popularity of the name seemed to fluctuate over time, with peaks occurring around the turn of the century, particularly in the years 1896 and 1918 when more than seven babies were given this distinctive name. However, it is worth noting that these statistics only represent a small fraction of the overall number of births during those years, indicating that Walburga was not a ubiquitous choice but rather one that held appeal for a select group of parents.