Matilda

femaleGermanic

Commonly interpreted as 'strength in battle' or 'mighty in battle'.

Origin: Germanic — From 'maht' (might/strength) and 'hild' (battle).

Official popularity data is available for 7 regions, from 1965 to 2025. Highest recorded position: #8 in New South Wales, Australia in 2022. See regions.

Matilda: Recorded since 1965, it reached #8 in 2022, and it was still inside the top 100 in 2025.

7registrars recorded it
150times a registrar ranked it
61years from first to last
#8highest recorded position
23groupings it qualifies for
36names it appears alongside

What stands out in Matilda's record

England and Wales registered 1,915 births with the name in 2016, its largest count from any one registrar. Names by yearly birth count
Held at least one birth in every 2,000 for 21 years. Names by sustained share
Appears alongside 36 other names across 5 kinds of recorded relationship. All recorded relationships

muh-TIL-duh/məˈtɪldə/

Compare Matilda Run Name Checker on Matilda

Data Confidence

Evidence: HighCompleteness: CompleteEditorial review: 2026-06-15

Confidence in the evidencebehind this name's data — never a rating of the name itself, and never affected by how well it matches your preferences. How this is assessed

Because: backed by officially or academically authoritative sources, recently verified, most expected sections are populated, popularity data covers multiple regions.

Source authority

Averaged from the real per-claim source-authority assessments already computed for this name's meaning/origin/pronunciation/popularity evidence.

Independent corroboration

Averaged from the real per-claim supporting-source counts already computed for this name's evidence.

See full evidence assessment (8 dimensions, 1 not yet tracked)

Source agreement

No recorded source disagreement for this name's meanings or origins.

Recency

Calculated from how long ago this record was last verified (2026-06-15), against a 270-day staleness threshold.

Geographic relevance

Calculated from the number of geographies with official popularity data (7) — broader official coverage means the evidence base is relevant to more of where the name is actually used.

Completeness

Calculated from how many of the expected data sections (variants, similar names, popularity, notable usage, IPA pronunciation) are actually populated for this name.

Direct observation vs. inference

Averaged from the real per-claim direct-observation-vs-inference ratios already computed for this name's evidence.

Identity & variant resolution quality

Cross-source identity and variant resolution requires HEKNO Knowledge, which isn't connected yet.

Name Characteristics

How these are calculated

Descriptive attributes of the name itself — not a confidence measurement, and not an overall quality score. Namewise doesn't approve or disapprove of names.

Pronunciation clarity

Editorial judgement of how consistently this name is pronounced correctly on first read, mapped from an easy/moderate/variable rating to a number. Describes the name — not a measure of evidence confidence.

Spelling simplicity

Calculated directly from the name's spelling: shorter names with fewer irregular letter clusters score higher. A disclosed formula, not an editorial opinion — and not a confidence measurement.

Recorded regional spread

Derived from how many geographies' official statistics record this name. It measures where the name is registered, not how well-known it feels to people living there.

International spread

Derived from the same official statistical coverage, scaled to reflect how widely the name crosses national datasets. Not a measure of how easily it is understood in another language.

Trend stability

Derived from the name's traditional/modern classification and its current popularity trend direction.

Overview

Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Commonly interpreted as 'strength in battle' or 'mighty in battle'.
Pronunciation: muh-TIL-duh
Syllables: 3
Common nicknames: Tilly
Classification: Traditional & modern
Gender usage: female
Language family: Germanic

Popularity

Region

Rising

among girls in England and Wales · 1996–2025

View as table

England and Wales · Girls rank by year
Year	Rank
1996	#211
1997	#177
1998	#174
1999	#158
2000	#143
2001	#136
2002	#127
2003	#122
2004	#107
2005	#89
2006	#70
2007	#62
2008	#43
2009	#46
2010	#53
2011	#48
2012	#47
2013	#36
2014	#36
2015	#27
2016	#25
2017	#27
2018	#31
2019	#30
2020	#29
2021	#28
2022	#29
2023	#30
2024	#31
2025	#19

VerifiedSource: Office for National Statistics — Baby Names in England and Wales.Confidence: high.

See all England and Wales names · Source: Office for National Statistics — Baby Names in England and Wales

What the data shows

RisingEngland and Wales · Girls

Recorded in official data among girls in Republic of Ireland in 33 of the 61 years from 1965 to 2025.

In 2025: #16 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, #19 among girls in England and Wales, #106 among girls in Republic of Ireland, #150 among girls in Norway.

Official data from 7 national registrars across 7 regions, 1965–2025 · Office for National Statistics. Data sources

Popularity journey

First recorded1965
First recorded at #325 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1965 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #19 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls

Matilda appears in 6 of the published lists Namewise holds. The longest record is Republic of Ireland · Girls, which has ranked it in 33 years beginning in 1965, and has registered 830 births with the name.

Matilda across 6 official records

Each registrar publishes its own list, so these figures are read down a row, never across one. A position in one country is not comparable with a position in another, and Namewise never combines them into a single ranking. The birth counts do not compare across rows either, for a different reason: England and Wales registers roughly thirty times as many births a year as Northern Ireland, so a larger total says which registrar recorded it as much as how widely the name was given.

Matilda's first, highest and most recent recorded position in each official list, with the number of births each registrar registered with the name and its largest single year
Published list	First recorded	Highest	Most recent	Years recorded	Births registered	Most in one year
Republic of Ireland · Girls	#325 (1965)	#97 (2016)	#106 (2025)	33 of 61	830 (1965–2025)	58 (2016)
Norway · Girls	#526 (1986)	#145 (2023)	#150 (2025)	30 of 40	558 (1986–2025)	37 (2016)
England and Wales · Girls	#211 (1996)	#19 (2025)	#19 (2025)	30 of 30	31,414 (1996–2025)	1,915 (2016)
New South Wales, Australia · Girls	#81 (2004)	#8 (2022)	#16 (2025)	22 of 22	5,685 (2004–2025)	375 (2008)
Northern Ireland · Girls	#316 (2004)	#91 (2017)	#110 (2024)	20 of 21	300 (2004–2024)	24 (2017)
New Zealand · Girls	#63 (2009)	#20 (2021)	#27 (2023)	14 of 15	1,196 (2009–2023)	125 (2016)

Where the highest position is not the biggest year

Inside a single year a registrar's ranking is its birth counts put in order, so the top of a list is always the name given to the most babies that year. Across years the two separate, because the number of births and the number of names sharing them both change.

In England and Wales · Girls the name reached its highest position, #19, in 2025, when 1,449 births were registered with it. More were registered in 2016 — 1,915 — in a year it ranked #25.

Matilda by decade in Republic of Ireland · Girls

Births registered with the name in each decade of this one list, with the number of years the list covers in that decade. Bars are scaled on births a year, which is the figure that compares between decades — a decade the list only partly covers has a smaller total without being a quieter decade. Figures belong to this registrar alone and do not carry to another.

Births registered with Matilda in Republic of Ireland · Girls, by decade, with years covered and the average per year
Decade	Births registered	Years covered	A year
1960s	7	2 of 10	4
1970s	15	4 of 10	4
1980s	3	1 of 10	3
1990s	4	1 of 10	4
2000s	114	9 of 10	13
2010sbusiest	429	10 of 10	43
2020s	258	6 of 10	43

Across Republic of Ireland · Girls, the 2010s were its busiest decade, averaging 43 births a year.

See the names Republic of Irelandhas recorded the most births with →

Matilda appears in

Groupings this name qualifies for under their own stated rules, from the same official statistics shown above.

What the record shows

Recorded by 7 registrars between 1965 and 2025, ranked in 40 years of that period.

Its highest recorded position is #8, first reached in 2022.

It held a top-100 place in 22 years, 22 of them consecutive.

Its largest count from any one registrar is 1,915 births, registered in England and Wales in 2016.

1 registrar ranked it inside their own top 10.

Its record falls into 9 separate stretches, with a longest absence of 8 years.

A second registrar first ranked it in 1986, and 59 years separate the first registrar to record it from the last.

Every figure here is counted from the seven official registrars Namewise holds. A position is only ever a place within the list that published it, and a record that thins or stops is a fact about what registrars printed — never about how many children received the name.

Matilda was ranked #8 in New South Wales, Australia · Girls in 2022. These are the names immediately either side of it on that published list — a fact about the registrar's own output, not a similarity judgement.

Where to go next

Records with a comparable body of evidence, so the catalogue can be read outward from this one. Each group states the rule it was selected by.

Next in the catalogue

The records either side of this one alphabetically.

Mathis · #379, 35y
Matias · #109, 44y
Matilda-Rose · #1920, 16y
Matilde · #76, 40y

A comparable record

Records held by the same 7 registrars, over a similar number of ranked years, whose highest position is closest to this one. A similar body of evidence — never a claim that the names themselves are alike.

Ethan · #4, 37y
Theo · #4, 37y
Charlie · #3, 35y
Luca · #3, 43y

Also first recorded in the 1960s

Records whose earliest ranking in Namewise's registrar data also falls between 1960 and 1969.

Aisling · #8, 62y
Danielle · #8, 60y
Hazel · #8, 62y
Isaac · #8, 52y

Comparisons involving Matilda

Existing comparison pages where Matilda and another name were ranked in the same published list, in the same years, on the same scale. Each has its own evidence; none of them says the names are alike.

Longest shared records

Names ranked alongside Matilda in the same published list across at least 25 years.

Matilda vs Layla
Matilda and Layla both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New South Wales, Australia · Girls; New Zealand · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Matilda · Layla · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
Mia vs Matilda
Mia and Matilda both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Girls; New South Wales, Australia · Girls; New Zealand · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Mia · Matilda · 31 shared years, 1987–2025 · Moved together in several countries
Charlotte vs Matilda
Charlotte and Matilda both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — New South Wales, Australia · Girls; New Zealand · Girls; Northern Ireland · Girls; Republic of Ireland · Girls. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Charlotte · Matilda · 33 shared years, 1965–2025 · Moved together in several countries

Closest long-running positions

Names that stayed close to Matilda within one registrar's list over many years. A gap measured inside that list, never across registrars.

Sophia vs Matilda
Across 22 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Sophia and Matilda averaged 9.2 places apart, ending at #6 and #16.
Sophia · Matilda · 22 shared years, 2004–2025 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2025 New South Wales, Australia ranking
Lily vs Matilda
Across 22 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Lily and Matilda averaged 9.3 places apart, ending at #9 and #16.
Lily · Matilda · 22 shared years, 2004–2025 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2025 New South Wales, Australia ranking
Zoe vs Matilda
Across 22 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Zoe and Matilda averaged 10.0 places apart, ending at #19 and #16.
Zoe · Matilda · 22 shared years, 2004–2025 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2025 New South Wales, Australia ranking

Order changes

Pairs where Matilda and another name exchanged position in a published list, taken as the final meaningful change.

Matilda vs Abigail
In New Zealand · Girls, Matilda moved into the top 50 at #24 in 2016 as Abigail fell out of it to #55, having been #33 the year before.
Matilda · Abigail · 14 shared years, 2009–2023 · One took the other's place near the top
See the 2016 New Zealand ranking
Elizabeth vs Matilda
In New Zealand · Girls, Matilda moved into the top 50 at #24 in 2016 as Elizabeth fell out of it to #71, having been #36 the year before.
Elizabeth · Matilda · 14 shared years, 2009–2023 · One took the other's place near the top
See the 2016 New Zealand ranking
Ellie vs Matilda
In New Zealand · Girls, Matilda moved into the top 50 at #24 in 2016 as Ellie fell out of it to #59, having been #40 the year before.
Ellie · Matilda · 12 shared years, 2012–2023 · One took the other's place near the top
See the 2016 New Zealand ranking

Compared inside New South Wales, Australia lists

Pairs involving Matilda measured in New South Wales, Australia's own published lists — the registrar that recorded Matilda at its highest position.

Amelia vs Matilda
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Girls within 2 years — Amelia #1 in 2020, Matilda #8 in 2022.
Amelia · Matilda · 22 shared years, 2004–2025 · Peaked in the same years
See the 2022 New South Wales, Australia ranking
Isla vs Matilda
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Girls within 2 years — Isla #1 in 2023, Matilda #8 in 2022.
Isla · Matilda · 18 shared years, 2008–2025 · Peaked in the same years
See the 2023 New South Wales, Australia ranking
Ava vs Matilda
Across 22 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Ava and Matilda averaged 10.9 places apart, ending at #18 and #16.
Ava · Matilda · 22 shared years, 2004–2025 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2025 New South Wales, Australia ranking

New South Wales, Australia overview→

Matilda and the names beside it

Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale, in the same year, by the same registrar — so these are positions that genuinely passed each other, not a similarity judgement. Drawn from the 2,577 names with a recorded popularity standing (common, familiar, uncommon), so a name outside that set could have passed Matilda without appearing here.

Matilda moved ahead of

Marilyn
In 2014 they stood at #488 and #488 in Republic of Ireland · Girls; by 2015 that had become #146 and #896.
Janet
In 2009 they stood at #490 and #439 in Republic of Ireland · Girls; by 2010 that had become #205 and #910.
Audrey
In 2006 they stood at #523 and #461 in Republic of Ireland · Girls; by 2007 that had become #241 and #842.
Violet
In 2006 they stood at #488 and #446 in Republic of Ireland · Girls; by 2007 that had become #241 and #842.

Moved ahead of Matilda

Olivia Compare
In 1992 they stood at #517 and #520 in Norway · Girls; by 1993 that had become #657 and #281.
Iben
In 1992 they stood at #517 and #603 in Norway · Girls; by 1993 that had become #657 and #337.
Amalie
In 1986 they stood at #526 and #586 in Norway · Girls; by 1987 that had become #664 and #383.
Ellinor
In 1986 they stood at #526 and #548 in Norway · Girls; by 1987 that had become #664 and #391.

Moved the opposite way to Matilda

Audrey
Between 1965 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Matilda went from #325 to #106 while Audrey went from #73 to #885.
Eileen
Between 1965 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Matilda went from #325 to #106 while Eileen went from #17 to #443.
Elaine
Between 1965 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Matilda went from #325 to #106 while Elaine went from #56 to #608.
Julia
Between 1965 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Matilda went from #325 to #106 while Julia went from #45 to #118.

Moved the same way as Matilda

Amy
Between 1965 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Matilda went from #325 to #106 and Amy from #262 to #138.
Victoria
Between 1965 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Matilda went from #325 to #106 and Victoria from #282 to #166.
Cara
Between 1968 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Matilda went from #401 to #106 and Cara from #357 to #52.
Hayley
Between 1968 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Matilda went from #401 to #106 and Hayley from #401 to #148.

Meaning & Origin

Commonly interpreted as 'strength in battle' or 'mighty in battle'.

VerifiedSource: Namewise editorial team, Behind the Name.Confidence: medium.

Germanic

From 'maht' (might/strength) and 'hild' (battle).

VerifiedSource: Namewise editorial team, Behind the Name.Confidence: medium.

Other names with a researched meaning and origin →

Where Matilda is officially recorded

7 official registrars have recorded Matilda, between 1965 and 2025, in 40 of those 61 years. Each registrar publishes for its own population on its own methodology, so the positions below are each one country's own ranking and are not comparable with one another.

Registrar	Recorded	Years	Its own highest position
Republic of Ireland	1965–2025	33	#97 in 2016
Norway	1986–2025	30	#145 in 2023
England and Wales	1996–2025	30	#19 in 2025
New South Wales, Australia	2004–2025	22	#8 in 2022
Northern Ireland	2004–2024	20	#91 in 2017
New Zealand	2009–2023	14	#20 in 2021
Scotland	2024	1	#148 in 2024

No registrar recorded it for 8 years after 1977; it appears again in 1986.

Variants

Tilly · nickname
Mathilde · regional

Similar Names

See full comparison →

Amelia14% similar

Both are Germanic-rooted names enjoying a strong contemporary revival.

Matilda vs Amelia

Similarity is a demonstration score — see methodology.

Spelling

Spelling simplicity

Calculated directly from the name's spelling — see Name Characteristics above.

No commonly used alternate spellings recorded.

Pronunciation

muh-TIL-duh/məˈtɪldə/

Syllables: 3
Ease: easy

Demonstration dataSource: Namewise editorial team.Confidence: low.

Where Matilda Is Recorded

National statistical agencies have recorded Matilda in these places. This shows where the name is used — not where it comes from, and not that it carries particular cultural significance there.

New South Wales, AustraliaEngland and WalesNorthern IrelandScotlandRepublic of IrelandNorwayNew Zealand

Notable Usage

No safely-sourced notable usage recorded for this name yet.

Sibling & Surname Compatibility

Preview with a surname

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Matilda

Matilda at a glance

What stands out in Matilda's record

Overview

Popularity

What the data shows

Popularity journey

Matilda across 6 official records

Where the highest position is not the biggest year

Matilda by decade in Republic of Ireland · Girls

Matilda appears in

What the record shows

Names published alongside Matilda

Where to go next

Next in the catalogue

A comparable record

Also first recorded in the 1960s

Comparisons involving Matilda

Longest shared records

Closest long-running positions

Order changes

Compared inside New South Wales, Australia lists

Matilda and the names beside it

Matilda moved ahead of

Moved ahead of Matilda

Moved the opposite way to Matilda

Moved the same way as Matilda

Meaning & Origin

Where Matilda is officially recorded

Variants

Similar Names

Spelling

Pronunciation

Where Matilda Is Recorded

Notable Usage

Sibling & Surname Compatibility

Matilda at a glance

What stands out in Matilda's record

Matilda across 6 official records

Where the highest position is not the biggest year

Matilda by decade in Republic of Ireland · Girls

Matilda appears in

What the record shows

Names published alongside Matilda

Where to go next

Next in the catalogue

A comparable record

Also first recorded in the 1960s

Comparisons involving Matilda

Longest shared records

Closest long-running positions

Order changes

Compared inside New South Wales, Australia lists

Matilda and the names beside it

Matilda moved ahead of

Moved ahead of Matilda

Moved the opposite way to Matilda

Moved the same way as Matilda