Name Matilda Origin, meaning, pronunciation & popularity of the name Matilda

Matilda is a ♀ girl’s name.

What is the origin of the name Matilda?

Matilda is a girl’s name of Old High German origin.

What does the name Matilda mean?

Matilda means “strength in battle” or “battle-mighty” (from Old High German “maht” = strength/might + “hiltja” = battle).

Matilda, a classic name

The name Matilda is a real classic and therefore a good companion on the life path of your daughter. Matilda was a popular girl’s name at the beginning of the 20th century, but after that it increasingly fell into oblivion. It was not until the movie “Matilda” (1996), produced by Danny DeVito, that the name became more popular again.

Variants, nicknames and middle names

In addition to the spelling Matilda, the variant Mathilda is also very common. Nicknames for a little Matilda can be Tilda, Tilly, Matty or Tildie. Suitable middle names are: Matilda Sophie, Matilda Josephine, Matilda Emily, Matilda Adeline or Matilda Rose.

Matilda as a fictional character

• The aforementioned film Matilda from 1996, produced by Danny DeVito, is about little Matilda Wormwood, who wants to free herself from her dysfunctional family life and comes to a private school. There she meets the principal Trunchbull, who also treats the children badly. Matilda discovers her telekinetic abilities and tries to use them to improve the situation at the school. Matilda is played by actress Mara Wilson.
• Another Matilda is Aunt Matilda from the “The Three ???” book series. She is the aunt of the first detective, Justus Jonas, and is known for her delicious cherry pie. Aunt Matilda is always worried about the three young detectives and regularly makes them help out in the recycling center.

Other famous name bearers

• The name Matilda gained recognition in the English speaking world, when late actor Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams named their daughter Matilda Ledger. Matilda was born in 2005 in New York City and sadly, her father Heath passed away when she was just two years old due to a drug overdose. Her mother Michelle told the public, that she is doing her best to keep the memory of Heath alive for her daughter.

Pronunciation of Matilda

Variants of the name Matilda

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