Matilda

Matilda meaning

Matilda is an international and Christian girl's name of Germanic origin (Old High German).

Mighty in battle

Also used to mean: strength in battle

Matilda is the Latin and English form of a Germanic name, Old High German Mahthilda. The Online Etymology Dictionary explains it as "mighty in battle", from mahti, "might, power", and hildi, "battle", a common element in names such as Hilda and Brunhild. The Normans brought it to England, where it was also shortened to Maud. Famous bearers include St Matilda, a tenth-century German queen; Empress Matilda, who fought for the English throne in the twelfth century; and the clever heroine of Roald Dahl's Matilda. Australians know it from the song "Waltzing Matilda". It is said muh-TIL-duh.

Source: Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com) · entry Matilda · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: Online Etymology Dictionary, Matilda · Online Etymology Dictionary, Maud

Famous namesakes

• Empress Matilda, twelfth-century claimant to the English throne
• Matilda Wormwood, heroine of Roald Dahl's Matilda

Popularity abroad

• #365 United States, girls 2025 (up 46 from 411 in 2024)
  US Social Security Administration
• #19 England and Wales, girls 2025
  Office for National Statistics

Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.

Spellings

Matilda · Mathilda · Mathilde

Related names

Also meaning strength

Also starting with Mat-

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