Matilda
Matilda Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
muh-TIHL-duh
Meaning of Matilda: The name Matilda derives from the Old High German Mahthildis, combining maht (might, strength) with hild (battle). The compound meaning - "mighty in battle" or "strength in combat" - places Matilda within the tradition of Germanic battle names that dominated European aristocratic naming from the early medieval period through the Norman era.
The Franks and their successors carried Mahthildis into France, where it softened to Mathilde, and the Normans brought both the French and Latin forms to England after 1066. Saint Matilda of Ringelheim (895-968), wife of the German King Henry I, gave the name early religious prestige; her granddaughter Matilda of Flanders became the wife of William the Conqueror himself.
In medieval England, Matilda was among the most common names for noblewomen. The Empress Matilda (1102-1167), daughter of Henry I and claimant to the English throne, fought a civil war against King Stephen that reshaped English constitutional history. Her son became King Henry II, founding the Plantagenet dynasty that ruled England for 300 years.
What Does Matilda Mean? Origin & Etymology
The name faded from fashion across the 18th and 19th centuries before its Australian connection gave it new cultural resonance. The folk song "Waltzing Matilda" (1895), composed by Banjo Paterson, became Australia's most recognized song, and the phrase "Matilda" as Australian slang for a swagman's bundle of belongings embedded the name in that national identity permanently.
According to SSA records, Matilda re-entered the US top 500 for girls around 2012 after decades of rarity, reaching rank 410 as of 2024. According to Etymonline, the Old High German hild (battle) also appears in names like Brunhilde and Clotilde, forming a cluster of Germanic battle-compound names that survived the transition from pagan to Christian European culture.
How Popular Is Matilda?
Numerology & Symbolism of Matilda
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Matilda – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Matilda
What does the name Matilda mean?
The name Matilda derives from Old English roots, reflecting the Anglo-Saxon naming tradition that predates the Norman Conquest. Names of this origin typically referenced personal qualities, natural features, or family lineage meaningful to early English-speaking communities.
How popular is the name Matilda in the United States?
According to SSA records, Matilda ranked #410 for girl names in the United States, with 769 births recorded in the most recent annual count. The name hit its highest SSA rank in 2024. It has held a consistent place in US naming statistics across multiple decades.
Where does the name Matilda come from?
The name Matilda comes from English. It entered English use through the linguistic and cultural channels typical of English-origin names—whether through religious texts, migration, or the prestige associated with classical learning. Today it is recognized as a girl’s name across the English-speaking world.