Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Tilly
GirlEnglish, Germanic· “strength in battle”
- Meaning
- strength in battle
- Origin
- English, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- TIH-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #885
- US babies 2025
- 302
- Best rank
- #885 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Tilly
Tilly is an English and Germanic name that means “strength in battle”.
Tilly is a traditional English nickname for Matilda, which comes from Germanic elements meaning might and battle, giving the sense of strength in battle. Matilda was borne by several medieval royals, including Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I of England. Tilly has been used as an independent name since at least the nineteenth century. It has a playful, cheerful charm and fits the current revival of vintage nicknames like Millie and Hattie. Tilly works both as a full name and as a friendly short form for Matilda or Mathilde.
Other spellings with the same sound: Tillie.
Popularity over time
Tilly first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 2 different years, starting in 2024. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #885, and its highest count, 302 babies. Use has grown 260% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #5,682 in 1920, #17,428 in 2000, #3,620 in 2010, and #885 in 2025. Of the 2,699 US girls named Tilly since records began, 54% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 872 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Colbie, Emi, Odette, Siya, and Reya.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Tilly ranked highest in West Virginia, South Dakota, and Oregon.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | #271 | 7 |
| South Dakota | #276 | 5 |
| Oregon | #296 | 13 |
| Kentucky | #328 | 14 |
| Idaho | #348 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Tilly is usually pronounced TIH-lee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with T and ends in “-ly”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Tillie.
Middle names for Tilly
A few middle names that flow with Tilly: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Tilly
Similar names
Lilly Girl
LIH-lee
“lily flower” · English
#252
Molly Girl
MAH-lee
“diminutive of Mary” · English
#196
Charley Girl
CHAR-lee
“free man; short for Charles” · English
#760
Emmy Girl
EH-mee
“short for Emily or Emma” · English
#445
Emmie Girl
EH-mee
“whole, universal” · English
#695
Nelly Girl
NEH-lee
“pet form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen” · English
#1,294
Charlie Unisex
CHAHR-lee
“free man” · English
#145
Millie Girl
MIH-lee
“diminutive of Mildred or Millicent” · English
#73
Blakely Girl
BLAYK-lee
“dark clearing” · English
#191
Carly Girl
KAHR-lee
“free man” · English
#1,009
Frankie Unisex
FRANG-kee
“Frenchman; short for Frank” · English
#552
Hattie Girl
HAT-ee
“home ruler; pet form of Harriet” · English
#334
Lists that include Tilly
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tilly mean?
Tilly is an English and Germanic name that means “strength in battle”.
What is the origin of the name Tilly?
Tilly has English and Germanic roots. Tilly is a traditional English nickname for Matilda, which comes from Germanic elements meaning might and battle, giving the sense of strength in battle.
Is Tilly a popular name?
Yes. Tilly ranked #885 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Tilly a boy or girl name?
Tilly is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Tilly?
Tilly is usually pronounced TIH-lee. 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