Baby Name of the Week: Matilda

on October 31, 2009 at 7:00 AM

There's a song by Tom Waits called Waltzing Matilda that I love. It's actually part of a very old song written by a poet in the 1800s and it's also the unofficial anthem for Australia.

Michelle Williams and the late Heath Ledger (who was Australian) named their daughter Matilda.

Most popular in the 1800s, according to CafeMom's Baby Name Finder, Matilda is German meaning strength for battle, and French for strong in war.

It's one of those vintage names that feels fresh again. And you could call her Matty for short. There's also that actress Tilda Swinton. Her full name is Katherine Matilda Swinton and goes by Tilda. I like it.

There are only ten CafeMoms who named their daughter Matilda and it's ranked 829 in the US as far as popularity.

Do you like the name Matilda? What does the name make you think of?

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About the author Michele Zipp

loves vintage and will defend skinny jeans to the death though she is highly superstitious and "death" is probably a bad word choice. She has a touch of the hoarding disease and enjoys sleuthing, the worst reality shows, and wearing high heels, even at the playground. She's an AP mom of twins, slightly crunchy but with a pedicure.

Filed Under: baby name of the week, baby names

Comments (13)

ethans_momma06

on Oct 31, 2009 at 11:37 AM

Not a huge fan....It really reminds me of the Rohld Dahl book (which I loved). The sound of the name just doesn't appeal to me, although I feel that it's a 'nice' name.

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kelli0585

on Oct 31, 2009 at 1:46 PM

I have a boy, but the name "Matilda" was in the running for a potential girl's name. I like the vintage names. They've stuck around for a good reason, you know.

nily

on Oct 31, 2009 at 10:31 PM

In Puerto Rico that's an OLD name. Most people that are name Matilda are very old LOL.

mommyheymommy

on Oct 31, 2009 at 11:27 PM

I really don't care for it at all.

RanaAurora

on Nov 1, 2009 at 12:49 AM

I think it's cute.

LelandsMommy

on Nov 1, 2009 at 1:26 AM

I love the name Matilda... Matilda Fay was on my list of girls names, BUT hubby kicked it off right away :-(

Crazy8ball

on Nov 1, 2009 at 1:45 PM

Its okay. I have a niece named matilda, we call her mattie & then my friend has a daughter named Matilda, nicknam: Tilly. lol. I would never name my kid Matilda though. Just doesnt appeal to me,

abelsmama07

on Nov 1, 2009 at 9:09 PM

I love it. It would absolutely be on the list for the baby girl I'm cooking right now, but I know someone who has a little girl named it already. She goes by Tilly. ADORABLE. We love vintage names... or old lady names as we call them. :)