"mighty in battle"
Origin: Germanic
Language: German
Matilda
Pronunciation: [ m-uht-IHLD-uh ]
Does Matilda flow with your last name?
A battle-mighty name beloved from Roald Dahl to Australian legend
Germanic
English
Australian
Scandinavian
Classic
Strong
Literary
Vintage
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"powerful warrior woman"
Origin: Old High German
Language: English
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The Story of Matilda
Matilda comes from the Old Germanic name Mahthildis — composed of 'maht' (might, power) and 'hild' (battle), meaning 'mighty in battle'. It was brought to England by the Normans and became widely used among medieval European royalty. The Empress Matilda (1102-1167), daughter of Henry I of England, fought a civil war for the English throne.
Matilda is in the midst of a major global revival, now ranking as one of the most popular names in Australia and the UK. Parents love its excellent nickname options (Tilly, Tilda) and its association with Roald Dahl's beloved 1988 novel. In Australia, 'Waltzing Matilda' gives it a distinctly national cultural resonance.
In Australia, 'Matilda' has special cultural meaning — 'Waltzing Matilda' (1895) by Banjo Paterson is effectively the country's unofficial national anthem. Roald Dahl's Matilda (1988) gave the name its greatest literary moment — the brilliant telekinetic girl has inspired generations.
Historical Record
Matilda first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 14,128 babies have been named Matilda in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Matilda is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #410 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- 'Waltzing Matilda' (1895) is Australia's most well-known song and often called the 'unofficial national anthem'
- Roald Dahl's Matilda (1988) has sold over 17 million copies and inspired a beloved West End/Broadway musical
- Empress Matilda (1102-1167) was the first woman named Lady of the English, setting the precedent for female rulership
Matilda in Other Languages
French
Mathilde
German
Mathilde
Italian
Matilde
Spanish
Matilde
Swedish
Matilda
Japanese
マチルダ
Popularity Over Time
#410
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Matilda
T
Tilda Swinton
Actor
1960
British actress (born Katherine Matilda Swinton), known for roles in Orlando, Narnia, and Doctor Strange
E
Empress Matilda
Royalty
1102
Daughter of Henry I of England, fought for the English throne in the civil war known as The Anarchy
M
Matilda Wormwood Fictional
Other
Brilliant, book-loving, telekinetic girl protagonist of Roald Dahl's Matilda (1988)
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #410
- Total SSA Count
- 769
- Cultural Origins
- Germanic English Australian Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Tilly
Tilda
Mattie
Mati
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, 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, 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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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Matilda
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Matilda is also used as a boy name, ranked #28186.
View Matilda as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Germanic)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Matilda
What does the name Matilda mean?
"mighty in battle" (from Germanic). "powerful warrior woman" (from Old High German). Matilda comes from the Old Germanic name Mahthildis — composed of 'maht' (might, power) and 'hild' (battle), meaning 'mighty in battle'. It was brought to England by the Normans and became widely used among medieval European royalty. The Empress Matilda (1102-1167), daughter of Henry I of England, fought a civil war for the English throne.
What is the origin of the name Matilda?
Matilda has Germanic, Old High German, English, Australian, and Scandinavian origins. In Germanic, it means "mighty in battle". In Old High German, it means "powerful warrior woman".
Is Matilda a boy or girl name?
Matilda is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #410. As a boy name, it is ranked #28186. Matilda is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Matilda?
Matilda is pronounced m-uht-IHLD-uh.
How popular is the name Matilda?
Matilda is currently ranked #410 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Matilda?
Common nicknames for Matilda include Tilly, Tilda, Mattie, and Mati.
What are good middle names for Matilda?
Popular middle name pairings include Matilda Rose, Matilda Jane, Matilda Grace, Matilda Pearl, Matilda Eve, Matilda Florence, and Matilda Wren.
What are good sibling names for Matilda?
Names that pair well with Matilda as siblings include Harriet, Hugo, Beatrice, Arthur, Clementine, and Theodore.
How many syllables does Matilda have?
Matilda has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Matilda a common or rare name?
Matilda is a popular name, ranked #410 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Matilda?
Are there other spellings for Matilda?
Related spellings include Matilde.
About the Name Matilda
Matilda is a girl name with Germanic, English, Australian, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "mighty in battle" in Germanic .
Is Matilda a boy or girl name? Matilda is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #410 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #28,186. Matilda is more commonly used as a girl name.
Matilda is currently ranked #410 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Matilda has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-uht-IHLD-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Matilda include Tilly, Tilda, Mattie, and Mati. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Matilda include Matilde . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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