A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Matilda since 1880
Babies named Matilda per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2025, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Matilda's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,533 |
| 1890s | 3,249 |
| 1900s | 2,892 |
| 1910s | 5,293 |
| 1920s | 5,016 |
| 1930s | 2,033 |
| 1940s | 1,284 |
| 1950s | 1,179 |
| 1960s | 983 |
| 1970s | 620 |
| 1980s | 359 |
| 1990s | 486 |
| 2000s | 1,712 |
| 2010s | 5,241 |
| 2020s | 4,390 |
Meaning & origin
Matilda is a name with deep Germanic roots, meaning 'might in battle.' It entered English usage after the Norman Conquest and was borne by notable medieval figures such as Empress Matilda, a claimant to the English throne in the 12th century. The name experienced a revival in the 1990s and has been steadily climbing in popularity since then. In 1880, the earliest year of US Social Security data, Matilda ranked 364th. By 2025, it holds the same rank of 364, with about 1 in 1,918 girls receiving the name. Its peak year was 1880, and it has been on a rising trajectory since 1990. The name is particularly favored in Washington D.C., Montana, and South Dakota. Matilda's classic charm, paired with nicknames like Mattie and Tilly, makes it a strong choice for parents seeking a name with historical depth.
Matilda derives from the Old High German name Mahthilt, composed of maht (might, strength) and hilt (battle). It was borne by a number of medieval European royals, including the wife of William the Conqueror and the Holy Roman Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I of England. The name was particularly popular in England after the Norman Conquest and remained common into the 20th century.
Where Matilda is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Matilda” around the world
Where Matilda lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
55
babies in 2024
Ireland
44
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#21
in 2025
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#16
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mattie, Tilda, Tilly
Sibling names for Matilda
Names that share Matilda's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Violet, Clementine, Beatrice, Eleanor, Genevieve, Alvina, Augusta, Bertina, Clementina, Delilah, Eloise, Ernestina, Ernestine, Fredericka, Georgianna, Gisela, Griselda, Harriett, Hermina, Hildegard, Hortense, Lucille, Millicent, Philomena, Regina, Theodora, Ursula, Valentina, Wilhelmina, Winslow, Adelene, Albertina, Beatrix, Birtha, Chesley, Emeline, Fredricka, Hedwig, Henretta, Herlinda, Hermine, Hildegarde, Honora, Olevia, Alfrieda, Almedia, Brunilda, Carola, Clemence, Clotilda, Genetta, Gizella, Levina, Marilla, Otelia, Ottilia, Ottilie, Percilla, Rosiland, Vanellope, Wallis, Wilhemina, Adelheid, Almina, Armilda, Editha, Emelda, Ernesta, Ernesteen, Gertude, Grisel, Grizelda, Gustava, Henritta, Hildagarde, Josaphine, Norberta, Othelia, Petronella, Romilda, Thomasa, Wilhelmena, Sybilla, Anselma, Athalee, Beatryce, Bernarda, Dorotea, Filippa, Gerarda, Gerturde, Hildagard, Huberta, Milicent, Otillia, Renarda, Thedora, Wilmina
Brothers: Theodore, Sebastian, Oliver, Henry, Felix, Alphonse, Augustine, Baron, Basil, Clovis, Cornelius, Ferdinand, Fulton, Lambert, Napoleon, Norbert, Roderick, Rupert, Adelbert, Adolphus, Armond, Baldemar, Bartley, Bastian, Cornelious, Gerold, Godfrey, Hilbert, Hilliard, Leopold, Melville, Phineas, Rudolf, Silvester, Wilfrid, Adelard, Aldric, Baldwin, Blanchard, Emeric, Fielding, Frederich, Godric, Godwin, Herold, Humphrey, Leandrew, Montague, Oswin, Philbert, Rembert, Rodric, Alfonse, Algernon, Alric, Anselm, Barnaby, Corneilus, Emmerich, Fitzroy, Gervase, Humbert, Ladislaus, Ludwin, Mansfield, Milam, Motty, Osborn, Renald, Romualdo, Theodus, Alarick, Aldous, Aloysuis, Balian, Bertran, Fredderick, Ignatz, Lovelace, Ludger, Peregrin, Phinneas, Rodolph, Theodoro, Theoplis, Uhtred, Wyndham
Names like Matilda
Names whose popularity has moved with Matilda's over the last 50 years.
