Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Matilda
GirlGermanic, English· “strength in battle”
- Meaning
- strength in battle
- Origin
- Germanic, English
- Pronunciation
- muh-TIL-duh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #365
- US babies 2025
- 838
- Best rank
- #101 (1880)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Matilda
Matilda is a Germanic and English name that means “strength in battle”.
Matilda comes from the Germanic Mahthildis, built from maht, might or strength, and hild, battle. It was brought to England by the Normans: Matilda of Flanders was the wife of William the Conqueror, and her granddaughter, the Empress Matilda, fought for the English throne in the twelfth century. The name was widely used in medieval England, often in the form Maud. The Australian song Waltzing Matilda and Roald Dahl's clever young heroine have kept it familiar. Tilly, Tilda and Mattie are all nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Mathilda.
Popularity over time
Matilda has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 99 different years. Its best national rank was #101 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 838 were named Matilda. In 2025, 838 babies were named Matilda, and it ranked #365 nationally. That is 44% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #261 in 1920, #724 in 1950, #2,518 in 1980, #2,097 in 2000, #799 in 2010, and #365 in 2025. Of the 37,270 US girls named Matilda since records began, 14% were born in the 1910s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 5,241 babies. Since 2010, 9,631 more have been named Matilda.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Helena, Adhara, Astrid, Elora, and Ivory.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Matilda ranked highest in District of Columbia, Oregon, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #178 | 5 |
| Oregon | #186 | 20 |
| Washington | #198 | 37 |
| Massachusetts | #213 | 27 |
| New Hampshire | #225 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Matilda is usually pronounced muh-TIL-duh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-da”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Mathilda.
Middle names for Matilda
A few middle names that flow with Matilda: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Matilda
Similar names
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Lists that include Matilda
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Matilda mean?
Matilda is a Germanic and English name that means “strength in battle”.
What is the origin of the name Matilda?
Matilda has Germanic and English roots. Matilda comes from the Germanic Mahthildis, built from maht, might or strength, and hild, battle.
Is Matilda a popular name?
Yes. Matilda ranked #365 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Matilda a boy or girl name?
Matilda is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Matilda?
Matilda is usually pronounced muh-TIL-duh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings