Matilda vs Nellie

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Matilda

Girl #410 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"mighty in battle"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

Germanic English Australian Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#410
Total SSA Count
769
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Tilly, Tilda, Mattie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Matilda →

Nellie

Girl #520 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"shining light"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English American Irish Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#520
Total SSA Count
591
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Nell

Playground Safety Score

15 High Risk

{:type=>:rhyme, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Nellie' rhymes with 'smelly'"}

Full profile for Nellie →

Popularity Comparison

Matilda Rank #410
Nellie Rank #520

Matilda is more popular, ranked #410 vs #520 for Nellie.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Matilda ___

  • Matilda Rose
  • Matilda Jane
  • Matilda Grace
  • Matilda Pearl
  • Matilda Eve
  • Matilda Florence

Nellie ___

  • Nellie Rose
  • Nellie Jane
  • Nellie Mae
  • Nellie Ann
  • Nellie Grace
  • Nellie Pearl

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Matilda

Harriet Hugo Beatrice Arthur Clementine

If you choose Nellie

Maude Elsie Pearl Hattie Archie

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Matilda or Nellie more popular?

Matilda is more popular, ranked #410 compared to Nellie at #520 in the United States.

What do Matilda and Nellie mean?

Matilda means "mighty in battle" (Germanic origin). Nellie means "shining light" (Greek origin).

Are Matilda and Nellie boy or girl names?

Matilda is primarily a girl name. Nellie is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Matilda ← Full profile: Nellie Browse all baby names