Iida is the Finnish form of Ida, a name with deep roots in Germanic and English onomastics. The name Ida itself is derived from the Germanic element id, which likely means "work" or "labour" (from Proto-Germanic *idiz). This element is also found in other Germanic names such as Idalia and Idella. History and Revival The Normans introduced Ida to England, where it was used in the Middle Ages but eventually fell out of use. The name saw a strong revival in the 19th century, partly due to Alfred Tennyson's poem The Princess (1847), which featured a heroine named Ida. The poem was later adapted into the comic opera Princess Ida (1884) by Gilbert and Sullivan. In Finland, the form Iida gained popularity in the 19th century during a period of national romanticism that embraced native forms of European names. Cultural Context In Finland, Iida is a common given name for females and has remained popular into the 21st century. It is the Finnish adaptation of Ida, similar to other Nordic forms such as Swedish Ida. The name is unrelated to the Greek mythological Mount Ida on Crete, where the god Zeus was said to have been born, though the spelling coincidence sometimes draws connections. Notable Bearers While there are no globally renowned figures named Iida from the brief's sources, the name is borne by many Finnish women in various fields, including sports, arts, and sciences. For example, Iida Vainio (born 1997) was the winner of the Finnish reality TV series Selviytyjät in 2021, and Iida-Maria (born 1997) competes in rhythmic gymnastics. Distribution and Variants According to the Finnish Population Register, Iida was one of the top 10 names given to girls in Finland in the early 2000s. Variants of the name include Ida, Idella, and Idelle in English, as well as Idalia from Germanic origins. The Japanese surname Iida is a separate homonym with no etymological connection, derived from the Japanese word Īda (飯田), meaning "rice paddy." Meaning: "Work" or "labour" (from Germanic element id) Origin: Finnish form of Ida, ultimately Germanic Type: Given name (female) Usage regions: Finland, also in other Nordic countries