"mighty in battle"
Origin: Germanic
Language: Old High German
Mathilda
Pronunciation: [ m-uht-IHLD-uh ]
Does Mathilda flow with your last name?
A medieval warrior queen name with timeless literary charm
English
German
French
Scandinavian
Classic
Vintage
Literary
Strong
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"strong in battle"
Origin: Proto-Germanic
Language: German
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The Story of Mathilda
Mathilda is the Latin spelling of an ancient Germanic name composed of 'maht' (might, strength) and 'hild' (battle) — literally 'mighty in battle.' The name was carried to England by the Normans after the Conquest of 1066 and became one of the most prestigious names in medieval Europe. Empress Matilda, the daughter of Henry I of England, was the first woman to claim the English throne (1141), and her struggle with King Stephen nearly split the kingdom in a civil war known as The Anarchy.
Matilda/Mathilda has undergone a remarkable revival since the 1990s. Roald Dahl's beloved 1988 children's novel Matilda — adapted into a hit musical and 1996 film — brought warm associations of intelligence and magic. In Australia, the name carries patriotic resonance from 'Waltzing Matilda.' The more formal 'Mathilda' spelling offers classic distinction.
Beyond Empress Matilda and Roald Dahl's heroine, Mathilda appears throughout European royal history — Saint Matilda (895-968) was the German queen whose piety and charity were legendary. In Australia, 'Matilda' is a cultural icon through the national song, and a 'matilda' historically meant a swagman's bundle.
Historical Record
Mathilda first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,167 babies have been named Mathilda in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mathilda is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #4,583 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Empress Matilda was briefly recognized as Lady of the English in 1141 — effectively England's first ruling queen
- Roald Dahl's Matilda (1988) features a girl with telekinetic powers who uses her abilities against a tyrannical headmistress
- 'Waltzing Matilda,' Australia's unofficial national anthem, was written in 1895 by Banjo Paterson
Mathilda in Other Languages
French
Mathilde
German
Mathilde
Italian
Matilde
Spanish
Matilde
Norwegian
Mathilde
Popularity Over Time
#4,583
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mathilda
T
Tilda Swinton
Actor
1960
Oscar-winning British actress known for her otherworldly roles, whose given name Tilda is a diminutive of Mathilda
E
Empress Matilda
Royalty
1102
The first woman to claim the English throne, daughter of Henry I, whose civil war with King Stephen defined 12th-century...
The first woman to claim the English throne, daughter of Henry I, whose civil war with King Stephen defined 12th-century England
M
Matilda Wormwood Fictional
Other
The brilliant, telekinetic girl protagonist of Roald Dahl's classic 1988 children's novel Matilda
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Compare Mathilda with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #4,583
- Total SSA Count
- 30
- Cultural Origins
- English German French Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Mattie
Tillie
Tilda
Thilly
Matty
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mathilda
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mathilda
What does the name Mathilda mean?
"mighty in battle" (from Germanic). "strong in battle" (from Proto-Germanic). Mathilda is the Latin spelling of an ancient Germanic name composed of 'maht' (might, strength) and 'hild' (battle) — literally 'mighty in battle.' The name was carried to England by the Normans after the Conquest of 1066 and became one of the most prestigious names in medieval Europe. Empress Matilda, the daughter of Henry I of England, was the first woman to claim the English throne (1141), and her struggle with King Stephen nearly split the kingdom in a civil war known as The Anarchy.
What is the origin of the name Mathilda?
Mathilda has Germanic, Proto-Germanic, English, German, French, and Scandinavian origins. In Germanic, it means "mighty in battle". In Proto-Germanic, it means "strong in battle".
Is Mathilda a boy or girl name?
Mathilda is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Mathilda?
Mathilda is pronounced m-uht-IHLD-uh.
How popular is the name Mathilda?
Mathilda is currently ranked #4583 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Mathilda?
Common nicknames for Mathilda include Mattie, Tillie, Tilda, Thilly, and Matty.
What are good middle names for Mathilda?
Popular middle name pairings include Mathilda Rose, Mathilda Jane, Mathilda Grace, Mathilda Claire, Mathilda Blythe, Mathilda Anne, and Mathilda Wren.
What are good sibling names for Mathilda?
Names that pair well with Mathilda as siblings include Beatrice, Adelaide, Wilhelmina, Edmund, Leopold, Cecily, and Millicent.
How many syllables does Mathilda have?
Mathilda has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Mathilda a common or rare name?
Mathilda is an uncommon name, ranked #4583 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Mathilda
Mathilda is a girl name with English, German, French, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "mighty in battle" in Germanic .
Mathilda is currently ranked #4,583 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Mathilda has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-uht-IHLD-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Mathilda include Mattie, Tillie, Tilda, Thilly, and Matty. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis