Matilda Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Matilda has its roots in the Germanic language, meaning 'strength in battle'. It evolved through various forms, including Mahthildis in Old High German and Matilde in Old French, before becoming Matilda in Middle English. The name carries traits of strength and resilience, with no biblical relevance. Its popularity surged in the medieval period and remains well-regarded today, often associated with intelligence and independence.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Matilda"
Pronunciation
/məˈtɪldə/
Origin
Germanic
Etymology
The name Matilda is derived from the Germanic elements 'maht' meaning 'might' or 'strength' and 'hild' meaning 'battle'.
Meaning
strength in battle
Language Evolution
Old High German: Mahthildis, Old French: Matilde, Middle English: Matilde
Historical Usage
Matilda became popular in the medieval period, particularly due to its association with various queens and noble women in Europe, notably Matilda of Scotland and Empress Matilda.
Variants & Derivatives
Tilda, Maud, Matty
Modern Popularity & Image
In contemporary times, Matilda is often seen as a strong and independent name, partly popularized by literature and media, such as Roald Dahl's children's book 'Matilda'.
Famous People
Matilda of Scotland, Queen of the Scots, Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry I of England, Matilda Jane, American fashion designer
📊 Matilda Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Matilda Name Visualizations
✨ Matilda Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 769 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 48 US states, with strongest presence in Pennsylvania
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Matilda" - Complete Guide (2 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Matilda". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 2 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Matilda" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Matilda"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Matilda"
"Matilda" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 7545th of 7545 | 5 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 256th of 9107 | 12,115 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 505th of 9204 | 3,520 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 911th of 12526 | 2,295 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1520th of 19264 | 1,061 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 3021st of 27321 | 559 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1190th of 35406 | 3,089 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 500th of 30306 | 7,659 |
Regional Popularity of "Matilda" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Matilda" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
19.14% 271st/1416 |
12.40% 171st/1379 |
13.82% 327th/2366 |
26.01% 297th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
40.69% 629th/1546 |
21.72% 338th/1556 |
22.31% 525th/2353 |
32.45% 502nd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
70.41% 1568th/2227 |
36.46% 886th/2430 |
26.39% 753rd/2853 |
31.24% 867th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
93.43% 2744th/2937 |
55.81% 1944th/3483 |
36.78% 1294th/3518 |
33.73% 1364th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
100.00% 3685th/3685 |
100.00% 4475th/4475 |
43.24% 2246th/5194 |
60.55% 3825th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
22.92% 1050th/4582 |
19.98% 1032nd/5164 |
20.76% 1518th/7313 |
15.10% 1127th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
9.19% 366th/3984 |
10.07% 452nd/4487 |
9.53% 650th/6822 |
7.07% 444th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Matilda"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Matilda" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Matilda" in the United States
The name Matilda is most popular in Pennsylvania, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Matilda has been too falling for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, too falling for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Matilda' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 7545th out of 7545 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 256th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 505th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 911th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1520th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3021st out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1190th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 500th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Matilda' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.