Matilda
Matilda, also spelled Martilda Contemporary version Mathilda and Mathilde, is the English form of the Germanic female name Mahthildis, which derives from the Old High German "maht" and "hild".
- English
- Swedish
- Finnish
- Slovak
Meaning & Origin of Matilda
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
Matilda, also spelled Martilda Contemporary version Mathilda and Mathilde, is the English form of the Germanic female name Mahthildis, which derives from the Old High German "maht" and "hild".
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
Cultural Origins (via Behind the Name)
- English
- Swedish
- Finnish
- Slovak
- Slovene
The Story of Matilda
The earliest SSA record of Matilda as a baby girl name dates back to 1880, when 210 babies received it. 2026 was its biggest year on record, with 793 newborns named Matilda — #384 in the national rankings. In the latest 2026 data it stands at #384 among baby girl names with 793 births, rising sharply (+17% over the past five years). In total, more than 38K Matildas have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1880s through the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Variants & Related Forms of Matilda
Foreign forms, alternate spellings, and nicknames that share roots with Matilda. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Notable people named Matilda
A small selection from Wikipedia. Tap "Read more" below to see the full list on Wikipedia.
- Matilda of Ringelheim (968)
- Mechtildis of Edelstetten , Dießen, Andechs (1160)
- Mechthild of Magdeburg (1282/1294)
- Mechtilde of Hackeborn (1240/41 – 1298)
- Empress Matilda or Empress Maud (1102–1167), Lady of the English, Queen of Germany, daughter of Henry I of England, mother of Henry II of England
- Matilda, Countess of Angus (fl. 13th century), Scottish noblewoman
- Matilda, Countess of Rethel (1091–1151), French noblewoman
- Mathilda Berwald (1798–1877), Swedish royal court singer
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
Names that sound like Matilda
Phonetically similar names — useful when Matilda is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Matilda
What does the name Matilda mean?
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How popular is Matilda in 2026?
When was Matilda most popular?
In which U.S. states is Matilda most popular?
Is Matilda a unisex name?
What names go well with Matilda?
What are nicknames or variants of Matilda?
About the name Matilda
Matilda is a girl baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1880 and has accumulated 38K births in the dataset. Matilda's peak popularity came in 2026 when it ranked #100. Use the chart and map above to compare Matilda's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 2026 →
- Names of the 2020s →
- Names starting with "M" →
- Browse all girl names →
- Top names of 2026 →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.