Girl · 500th of 30,306
Matilda
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
36,438
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2024
Peak Popularity Year
769
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Matilda stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
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
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
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
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 8 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |