What Does the Name Matilda Mean?
Matilda is a girl's name of German origin meaning “strength in battle.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Matilda |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | German |
| Meaning | strength in battle |
| Variants | Mathilda, Mathilde, Matilde, Maud, Tilly |
| Popularity | A revived antique name, very popular in the UK and Australia and climbing in the US, often via Tilly or Mattie. |
The meaning and origin of Matilda
The name Matilda means “strength in battle” and has German origins. From the Germanic name Mahthildis, combining 'maht' (might, strength) and 'hild' (battle), giving 'strength in battle.' It was introduced to England by the Normans and borne by the wife of William the Conqueror.
Variants and related names
Matilda is related to several other names you may recognize: Mathilda, Mathilde, Matilde, Maud, Tilly. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Matilda?
A revived antique name, very popular in the UK and Australia and climbing in the US, often via Tilly or Mattie.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Matilda mean?+
The name Matilda means “strength in battle” and is of German origin.
What is the origin of the name Matilda?+
Matilda originates from German.
Is Matilda a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Matilda has trended in the US over time.
Matilda by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press