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Baby names

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Original poster

Alternative to Matilda

61 replies

Spanishgreekenglishfamily · 14/08/2024 10:02

When expecting my boys I had my heart set on Matilda if they had been girls.
Unfortunately, a couple of friends have used it so don't think I can anymore without looking like I'm copying.
Also, I dislike Tilly as a nickname. Don't really like nicknames full stop.
What else would I like?
Welcome to comment on above situation and if you think I should still use it anyway.

OP posts:
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Molone · 14/08/2024 17:19

MistyF · 14/08/2024 10:11

If you don't like idea of nicknames, then you should use simple or short name

Megan
Eloise
Alice
Gwen
Louise
Helena
Polina
Cecily

Most of these names would be shortened - Meg, El, Al, Hel, Pol so if OP doesn’t like nicknames I wouldn’t choose these.

pipindressup · 14/08/2024 17:17

I always think Jemima and Tabitha are the natural matches for Matilda.
I know siblings Matilda and Jemima.

WildCherryBlossom · 14/08/2024 17:11

Hahaha I thought Tabitha too 😂

Moreteaandchocolate · 14/08/2024 17:08

Similar vibe but that don’t tend to get shortened

Alice
Clara
Violet
Iris
Mabel
Lucy
Martha
Phoebe
Eliza
Margot
Olive
Freya
Hazel
Audrey
Georgia
Rosie
Eve
Ivy
Sophia
Miriam
Lydia

RedOnyx · 14/08/2024 16:26

We considered the name Matilda, nickname would have been Milly.

Felicity
Clarissa
Esther
Imelda
Cassandra
Penelope
Ellen
Lydia

needhelpwiththisplease · 14/08/2024 16:23

Agnes
Connie
Delia
Enid
Faye
Gaia
Hettie
Kitty
Marnie
Meredith
Nina
Nell
Orla
Penny
Peggy
Sienna
Saffron
Tess
Tabitha
Una
Verity
Willa

SerenityNowInsanityLater · 14/08/2024 15:58

Marion
Marina
Milena
Mailys (My-lees)

Tabitha was my immediate thought.

sel2223 · 14/08/2024 15:58

A few people mentioned Margot, that's beautiful

Kitkat1523 · 14/08/2024 15:57

I would still use Matilda if you like it……the older your friends children get the less likely they are to be in contact with your DD anyway

loropianalover · 14/08/2024 15:56

Megan or Madeleine, if you want M?

I also like Tabitha, Clara, Josephine, Harriet, Lydia…

Carebearsonmybed · 14/08/2024 15:54

Ophelia
Olympia
Helena
Anastasia
Tatiana
Madeleine
Marina
Marissa
Adelaide
Martina

Catopia · 14/08/2024 15:52

I think Madeline is most like Matilda, but if you don't like nicknames I would go for something which is less obviously likely to be abbreviated. So Maud or Margot were good suggestions, but also things like Laura, Emma, Emily, Sarah, Enid, Erin etc which don't have that obvious route to abbreviating.

Sheelanogig · 14/08/2024 15:48

Meredith?

OKbutwhyplease · 14/08/2024 15:46

Arabella
Felicity
Seren
Matilde
Claudia

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 14/08/2024 15:43

In medieval times, Maud was interchangeable with Matilda.

Tristesse12 · 14/08/2024 15:42

Mattea (matt ay a) I know an exquisite little girl called this.

bigredboat · 14/08/2024 14:49

Alice
Frances
Caroline
Edith
Harriet
Martha

CruCru · 14/08/2024 12:12

Marianne
Helena
Rosalind

TeamPolin · 14/08/2024 12:11

Madeleine
Chloe
Claudia
Alexandra
Magdalene
Andrea
Juliet
Elspeth
Annabelle
Isabelle

Firsttimebabymummy · 14/08/2024 11:40

Natalie/ Natalia
Melinda / Miranda
Camilla
Charlotte
Violet
Penelope
Amelia
Eloise
Margot
Harper
Iris

ImpunityJane · 14/08/2024 11:34

Edith
Penelope
Martha
Harriet
Rosamond
Dinah
Agnes
Eleanor
Isabel
Celeste
Beatrice

KirstenBlest · 14/08/2024 11:26

Tabitha was my first thought.
Jemima
Sabrina
Melissa
Hilda
Miranda
Beatrice
Cassandra
Vanessa
Margaretta
Nancy

What is it about Matilda that you like. Is it the letters, the stress pattern or the vibe?

I think it sounds a strong, confident name. Tilly by contrast seems a bit wet.

I hadn't read the thread, but surprised to see Beatrice already suggested a few times. I'd look at other Shakespearean names.

itsgettingweird · 14/08/2024 11:13

Phoebe
Amelie
Emelia
Willow

SquigglePigs · 14/08/2024 10:26

In terms of the situation, for me it would depend how close the friends are as to whether I'd use it. Friends you see casually, kids won't spend much time together - go for it. Close friends where the kids will "grow up together" - I would pick a different name.

Some ideas:
Harriet
Tabitha (suggested before and definitely good)
Anabel
Martha
Caterina
Saskia
Eleanor
Amelia
Penelope

Mebebecat · 14/08/2024 10:14

Hilda
Ada
Eliza
Clara
Henrietta
Agatha
Monica

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