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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

Matilda

111 replies

looki · 14/02/2015 23:37

Apologies if this has been done a thousand times but names go in and out and opinions change as a name gets more popular.

What do you think of when you hear the name Matilda?

Are there are well....chav associations with it? Sorry for using the 'c' word but my other front runner seems to be associated with this word which has turned me off the name.

Thanks

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Viviennemary · 15/02/2015 13:07

I think of the book. It's not a name I'm very fond of but there's nothing wrong with it.

Showy · 15/02/2015 13:06

Both Lola and Layla are higher up the lists of popularity than Matilda. Phoebe too. They are never described as popular really. I think Matilda is a very MN type name. I had 3 on my antenatal thread on here but still know none in rl. It fits the MN demographic so perhaps seems popular. It isn't though. Not like Evie, Eva, Ella etc. I know a squillion of each.

ZebraGiraffe · 15/02/2015 11:07

It is popular and I love it.
In terms of 'chaviness' - in the same way charlotte or jessica were, you get people from all classes using it and they are lovely names.
I love the possible nicknames too - Tildy, Tilly, Tilda, Mattie

LastOneDancing · 15/02/2015 10:45

Balonz.

That underused classic.

Showy · 15/02/2015 10:36

It isn't that popular. 36th or whatever it is is nothing like top 10. In all 8 years of having one, we have met one other. Conversely, we have a Raphael which isn't even top 100 and I've met 6 in 3 years. 2 will be in his class at school. So 3 Raphaels in one class. And no Mathildas.

We use the Mathilda spelling. Not because we are pretentious but because of our heritage.

I do think there is an argument for avoiding names sometimes. If you start a thread and people are v negative about a name, of course you would reconsider. Presumably, that is why you ask. You may stick with the name anyway but the whole point of asking is to garner opinion. I am more likely to use a name if MN hates it though. Just ask my baby Balonz.

ScaryChicken · 15/02/2015 10:21

Gosh, this is getting a bit catty.

Fwiw - I get what you mean looki. Whether or not you make judgements about people based on their name or perceived social status, others will. No one wants to give their child a negative label at birth.

That said, my first reaction to the name Matilda was that it was a bit posh (is there a Tilly on Made in Chelsea??). It is very pretty though, and I loved the book.

GrinAndTonic · 15/02/2015 03:57

The song 'Waltzing Matilda'. Usually the rude version though.

Smooshface · 15/02/2015 03:47

My dd has this name, I do hope it isn't chavvy as it is too late to change!

Blahia · 15/02/2015 03:44

I hear it ALL the time, it's z very popular name where I am, and I reckon you'll get little pockets of areas where the name is extremely popular.

That being said, I really like it, and don't think it's chavvy at all (yet!)

squoosh · 15/02/2015 03:21

'It seems my posts are intentionally or unintentionally being misinterpreted.'

Intentionally misinterpreted? Oh please. You are the one who mentioned 'chav', you are the one who said 'screamed across Iceland'. It's pretty clear what your where your prejudices lie.

You can rest easy knowing that Matilda is generally considered a middle class name in the UK. Phew.

Original poster

looki · 15/02/2015 03:08

It seems my posts are intentionally or unintentionally being misinterpreted. For the record I had a name in mind, I searched (mostly) on here to see what the general opinion is and read it was considered a pretty awful name. I read it was a 'chav' name as welll as a lot more less than positive comments. 'Chav' to clarify isn't a word used where I am from (Ireland) and I'm not sure there is even an equivalent word in Ireland as the same names are generally used whether well off or not, but I know what the word implies. That really surprised me as I quite obviously didn't think that way or I wouldn't have chosen it myself.

So I am now looking at another name and again I wouldn't see it as being an awful name but it seems that I was completely wrong the first time so am trying to find out how my second favourite name is perceived. I am doubting pretty much every name now as my baby will grow up in the UK and I want her to have a name that doesn't have negative associations .

You can say ignore other opinions etc but the whole point of this board is to ask for opinions and advice.

I'm not interested in getting into an argument or derailing the thread further so thanks for your comments.

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squoosh · 15/02/2015 02:38

looki with all respect your posts sound utterly snobbish.

You're the one who mentioned the term 'chav'. You're the one who specifically mentioned Iceland supermarket. It's a bit late to backtrack now.

If you're worried about what your child will read on forums in the future then may I suggest that you don't post such prejudiced views about the name you're pondering?

Rosieliveson · 15/02/2015 02:31

Haha, well knob or not, I think it's a great name

Original poster

looki · 15/02/2015 02:21

Squoosh with all respect your post wasn't very nice.

My favourite name has been described on this website as many things, many associations and very few of them positive. The Iceland example I gave was an actual quote not some made up snobbish notion.

I fail to see whats knobbish about wanting to choose a name that my child in years to come won't read horrible things about it on forums like these. I simply want a regular name , I'm not enquiring about perceived posh names. If that was the case, I think I'd be asking about Xanthe and the like not Matilda!

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squoosh · 15/02/2015 01:26

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squoosh · 15/02/2015 01:22

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sticklebrickstickle · 15/02/2015 01:02

I really like Matilda. Definitely don't think of it as 'chavvy,' in fact quite the opposite - seems to be a middle-class name where I live. I definitely associate it with sweet, soft-spoken girls for some reason - it's sort of pretty and delicate but without being at all saccharine like some girly names. It does seem to be a name growing in popularity and I know a few Matilda's under four, none of them have their names shortened either and all are known by their full name, Matilda.

ScotsWhaHae · 15/02/2015 01:01

I love it. I've never met one, but if I had a girl she'd be a Matilda. For lots of reasons.

I do have a tattoo of Matilda from the roald Dahl book, I'm maybe not particularly impartial

EllenJanesthickerknickers · 15/02/2015 00:57

It was 36th in the last ONS baby names data. Which was 1 in 245 girls. So not that common!

EllenJanesthickerknickers · 15/02/2015 00:53

Haven't heard of a single one and I work in a school! It's nice, fairly posh and makes me think of the Roald Dahl book.

ImGoingForATwix · 15/02/2015 00:32

I like it. I think of Roald Dahl. Matilda was my favourite book of his. I would have it on a shortlist for a dd but dh doesn't like it.

BrieAndChilli · 15/02/2015 00:26

Dd is a matilda
We havnt come across anyone in real life with the same name and it's never in those pens/bracelets/baubles etc with your name on
She is 6 and is normally called Matilda but some of her friends call her Tilda as when they were younger they couldn't say it properly.

Original poster

looki · 15/02/2015 00:12

You see I don't think anyone (normal) will say the first name is awful after it has been given to a baby. They are all most likely to say 'that is lovely' or so you would think...... but I am looked at under raised eyebrows when I say the name or asked 'where is that from' (answer England!) and nobody has ever, not one, said its pretty etc

So naturally I want to avoid that this time.

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WienerDiva · 15/02/2015 00:05

My dd is Matilda, not shortened either (she won't let anyone ).

People are very quick to compliment me on her name when out and about. They often say things like "don't hear that name often enough", "is she as lovely as the Matilda in the book/film?"

Nobody has ever visibly recoiled in horror at the sound of her name, so that's a positive I suppose!

SoonToBeSix · 15/02/2015 00:04

Love it , but without the pretentious h.

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