Matilda

At a Glance: Name: Matilda – Meaning: mighty in battle (might/strength + battle) – Origin: Germanic (Old High German) – Gender: Girl – Pronunciation: muh-TIL-dah

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Matilda comes from Old High German, built from roots meaning 'mighty in battle' — a name with real strength and backbone built into it. It's pronounced muh-TIL-dah, and it carries an old-fashioned charm that feels drawn from an earlier generation rather than a modern invention. For parents who want both a clear, sturdy meaning and a name with some history behind it, Matilda offers both.

Meaning & Origin of Matilda

Meaning: Mighty in battle (might/strength + battle).

Origin: Germanic (Old High German).

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Matilda

Phonetic: muh-TIL-dah   IPA: /məˈtɪldə/

Popularity of Matilda

Matilda peaked at #101 back in 1880, when 210 girls were given the name. In 2024 it ranked #410, with 769 babies named Matilda that year — a lower rank than its 1880 peak, even though more babies actually received the name.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.

Make Matilda Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Matilda, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Ada
• Imelda
• Irma
• Rosalyn
• Bruno
• Emelia

FAQ

What does the name Matilda mean?

Mighty in battle (might/strength + battle). (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Matilda)

How do you pronounce Matilda?

Matilda is pronounced muh-TIL-dah (IPA: /məˈtɪldə/).

Is Matilda a popular name right now?

Matilda peaked at #101 in 1880 and is ranked #410 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

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