Matilda
How to say it: muh-TIL-duh · /məˈtɪldə/
From Old High German 'Mahthildis', composed of 'maht' (might, strength) and 'hild' (battle); meaning 'mighty in battle'.
Matilda was the 373rd most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 838 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1880s, its births are up about 35% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #330 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #373 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 838 |
| Share of births | 1 in 3,810 |
| Peak decade | 1880s |
| Change over 10 years | +35% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #330 |
| In France, 2025 | #518 among girls’ names, 40 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Long ago in the 1880s Matilda reached its height, and present use sits far below that mark. After long persistence, a renewed lift appears likely.
What goes with it
Strong yet melodic, Matilda blends softness with bite and a literary association. Eleanor belongs in the same set, while Tilly offers a nickname.
Middle names that flow with Matilda →
Parents who love Matilda also love
Nicknames
- Mattie
- Tilly
- Tillie
- Maud
- Mat
Honouring a Matilda in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Matilda is about 1 in 159.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Norwegian, Swedish.
In France: #518 for girls in 2025.
England and Wales: #19. Ireland: #108.
Famous people named Matilda
- Empress Matilda (1102–1167)Holy Roman Empress (1114–1125); claimant to the English throne
- Matilda of Flanders (1031–1083)Wife of William the Conqueror and Queen consort of the Kingdom of England
- Matilda Joslyn Gage (1826–1898)American writer, Native American civil rights activist, abolitionist, freethinker
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Matilda Wormwood is the protagonist of Roald Dahl's novel Matilda (book, film, stage musical)
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