Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Baby names

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

Unflip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

Thoughts on the baby name Tilda?

79 replies

LouiseDeyes · 09/07/2025 18:49

Hi all,

I’m expecting and have been going round and round with names, but I keep coming back to Tilda. It’s the shortened version of a nickname my grandfather gave me throughout my life, it’s always had such a warm, personal meaning for me. I feel really connected to it in a way no other name has matched.

I guess I’m just wondering how people perceive the name? Do you see it as too old-fashioned, incomplete, or quirky? I want to go with what feels right, but I’d love to hear how others might react to it, especially in real life settings.

Thanks in advance ❤️

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

HugoYorway · 16/07/2025 19:56

I had a song, and I didn't like it sung to me.

muddyford · 16/07/2025 19:54

I thought of rice immediately.

Threesmycrowd · 16/07/2025 19:53

I didnt think of the rice. I did think of Swinton but I dont think that matters (I think fox with Emilia, that doesn't matter either). Tilda isn't my first choice but there's nothing wrong with it, if you love it and it feels special I think you should use it. If the baby's other parent likes it!

ButteredRadish · 16/07/2025 19:48

Nooo. An old friend named her daughter Matilda (called her Tilda day to day) and oh boy did she get some funny looks when they asked her child’s name and she said “Matilda”. Then if she just said “Tilda” they always said “After the brand of rice?”

PreciousMomentsHun · 16/07/2025 19:43

KobeghGreen · 16/07/2025 19:32

My granddaughter Matilda loves that song 😊

Show quote history

It's a belter.

KobeghGreen · 16/07/2025 19:32

PreciousMomentsHun · 12/07/2025 05:46

Matilda is such a fine old name, a queenly name. Do give her the full version on her birth cert so she can chose that if she wants.

Plus there's a brilliant old Harry Belafonte song called Matilda. Kids love having their own song!

Edited

My granddaughter Matilda loves that song 😊

Bramble25 · 16/07/2025 19:27

I must admit i do think rice but I do also think it’s a beautiful name. And I’d soon stop thinking of the rice if I knew a human with the name!

LookingAtMyBhunas · 15/07/2025 23:57

Is it me or is 'Rice' starting to sound really good?

MNpenisadvisor · 12/07/2025 23:53

Rice brand

TildasMother · 12/07/2025 23:52

I have an adult Matilda, known as Tilda 90+% of the time. People may think rice when reading the name, but I honestly think when you're faced with an actual person, you just connect the name to the person and that's that. I think she's had maybe a handful of comments, certainly nothing that would have made me question our naming choice for one second.

If you like Tilda, use it.

Marmite27 · 12/07/2025 21:57

Arcticlife · 12/07/2025 15:14

Love it, quite a normal name in Norway, spelled Tilde (Til-deh)

Spelled Tilda and also pronounced like that in Yorkshire

HugoYorway · 12/07/2025 17:41

I assure you no one in her class will think rice!

I was just going to ask if anyone had said this and @mismomary has obliged.
I can only assume that @mismomary doesn't know anyone who cooks rice at home or takes children to the supermarket.

Toddlerteaplease · 12/07/2025 15:25

Heard of a character on a book called Tlidy, thought that was nice.

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 12/07/2025 15:21

Rice. Sure have it Asa Nick name for Matilda but not stand alone.

Arcticlife · 12/07/2025 15:14

Love it, quite a normal name in Norway, spelled Tilde (Til-deh)

Cynic17 · 12/07/2025 15:09

Well, it's not a proper name. Just pick Matilda, which is classic and lovely.

PreciousMomentsHun · 12/07/2025 15:07

Matilda is also a fantastic kid's book and film (we will forget about the musical).

It is a cooool name.

No h needed in English though.

mismomary · 12/07/2025 06:08

I know a young Tilda. Lovely name. I assure you no one in her class will think rice! I'd go Mathilda and shorten it.

newhouseplans · 12/07/2025 05:58

It's a lovely name, go for it. Ot doesn't have to be a nickname for Matilda.

Although, if her full name is Tilda, possible it may get shortened to Tilly, are you ok with that?

PreciousMomentsHun · 12/07/2025 05:46

Matilda is such a fine old name, a queenly name. Do give her the full version on her birth cert so she can chose that if she wants.

Plus there's a brilliant old Harry Belafonte song called Matilda. Kids love having their own song!

MoreChocPls · 12/07/2025 05:38

Rice!

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 12/07/2025 02:24

It’s a popular shortform for Matilda.. it’s nice enough, but yes I would use Matilda as a full name

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 10/07/2025 21:18

It's a nickname for Matilda. Or a brand of rice. I don't think it's an issue...

JillyGiraffe · 10/07/2025 21:13

Rice!

Moreteaandchocolate · 09/07/2025 22:21

I really like it as short for Matilda, but it could work as a standalone name too (if you don’t mind people asking if it’s short for Matilda a lot!)

Unflip

1 2 3 4

Swipe left for the next trending thread