Tilda

Meaning & origin

Tilda peaked in popularity in 1883, which is its highest rank year according to U.S. Social Security records. In 2025, it ranked 6,546 with a 1-in-94,545 frequency, showing a falling trajectory since 2022. The name first appeared on U.S. records in 1880, and although it never ranked in the top 1,000, it has maintained a steady if sparse presence for over a century. It is most common in the early 1880s, aligning with its peak year. As a diminutive of Matilda, Tilda shares the same sturdy Germanic heritage and has been used independently in the English-speaking world, Scandinavia, and beyond. Its sound and brevity give it a vintage charm that fits with other turn-of-the-century names, and it remains a rare but recognizable choice for parents seeking a name with historical depth and a soft, feminine touch.

Tilda began as a nickname for Matilda (from Germanic 'maht' meaning 'might, strength' and 'hild' meaning 'battle'). It emerged in medieval England and Scandinavia, often used independently from the 19th century onward, especially in Swedish and Finnish contexts.