Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Phoebe or Matilda

32 replies

Bella1905 · 02/08/2025 19:02

Which name do you prefer please for our daughter due in a few weeks? Thanks

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
trendytennant · 07/08/2025 11:25

Not Pheobe

Calliopespa · 07/08/2025 11:24

bigyawn · 07/08/2025 10:50

Matilda. But I will always vote anything other than Phoebe. Perfectly normal name, just one I don't prefer.

Yes, that's exactly how I feel.

I accept its a normal name, I realise other people like it, but it just sounds so "Feeebly" to me.

bigyawn · 07/08/2025 10:50

Matilda. But I will always vote anything other than Phoebe. Perfectly normal name, just one I don't prefer.

10Pontipines · 07/08/2025 10:45

Matilda! We have one. Always called Matilda by adults - introduces herself by this too. Her friends call her Tilda. She likes Tildies at home. Just a great all rounder name for kids and adults.

I do like Phoebe, but don’t like the nickname Pheebs and every Phoebe I’ve met seems to get called Pheebs.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 06/08/2025 00:43

Love both. I’d call her Phoebe Matilda. I don’t know why people would think that a connection with Friends would be a problem? Phoebe was the nicest of the six.

KayEmAy · 05/08/2025 19:22

Team Phoebe!

Hazelmaybe · 05/08/2025 13:52

Phoebe

Loubyloufootball · 04/08/2025 18:46

Matilda 😊

Original poster
Bella1905 · 04/08/2025 12:04

Thanks all. Appreciate the responses

OP posts:
Turnups · 03/08/2025 21:08

I had an Auntie Phoebe and an Auntie Tillie (Matilda).

Auntie Phoebe was much nicer!

(I wouldn't worry about the Friends connection, which is outdated now, and anyway there’s the Ronald Dahl connection for Matilda.)

Emanwenym · 03/08/2025 21:02

Phoebe. I don't like Tilly or Tilda.

LucasBuck · 03/08/2025 20:45

Neither are personal faves but of the two definitely Matilda. Phoebe has too many “ee” sounds for such a short name imo. Plus Matilda has fab namesakes in the historical Empress and the Dahl book for kids, as well as more nn options than Phoebe too if she wants or dislikes the full version (Mattie/Tilly/Milly/Tilda)

Wobblyhousebuyer · 03/08/2025 19:28

We have a 9yr old Matilda - she has so many pet names, Tilly, Tils, Tilda, Tilla, i love that there are so many variations. Also it's easy to spell so she won't spend her life having to spell it!

ManyShapesOfPasta · 03/08/2025 19:20

Bella1905 · 02/08/2025 19:02

Which name do you prefer please for our daughter due in a few weeks? Thanks

Phoebe.
It was my second choice for a girl, Matilda was my third choice.
I went with my first choice and my Dd is Niamh, she's 24 now.
I do have a cat named Matilda though!

ConfusingRelationship · 03/08/2025 19:15

We have a Matilda. She is 9 now so much before the huge craze. Never met one older.

known as Tild, Tilda, Tildy.
defo not Tilly - she shuts that down quick.

highly recommended name tbh always complimented on it and she loves books really lives up to her name lol.

SouthLondonMum22 · 03/08/2025 19:13

Phoebe is a top 20 name so the most popular out of the 2.

I have twins and one of them is Matilda, the other twin was nearly Phoebe but we went with something else instead.

I really like both names.

Cinaferna · 02/08/2025 22:44

I prefer Matilda. Reaslly classic name with lots of options for nn: Mattie, Millie, Tillie, Tilda.

I'm not keen on Phoebe - that double 'ee' 'ee' sounds is a bit squealy and whiny sounding to my ears.

Eggybreadwithnuts · 02/08/2025 22:40

Love Matilda....Tilly.
Dont like Phoebe reminds me of Friends...Pheebs

Petalymetal · 02/08/2025 22:39

Matilda because I love mattie for a girl.

DramaAlpaca · 02/08/2025 22:37

Matilda for me. Easy choice.

yummyscummymummy01 · 02/08/2025 22:36

Just been to Roald Dahl museum definitely Matilda!

BootballJoy · 02/08/2025 21:54

Both good. I like Mattie as a shortening for Matilda. Phoebe is a lovely name, I'd go for Phoebe.

Original poster
Bella1905 · 02/08/2025 20:54

Thanks all. I am leaning towards Phoebe currently.

OP posts:
Matzoballs · 02/08/2025 19:39

Phoebe. Matilda is just overused, and I hate Tillie. They’re both very popular.

BoleynMemories13 · 02/08/2025 19:28

I prefer Phoebe. Besides, Phoebe from Friends is awesome!

Saying that, so is Matilda Wormwood lol. I have an irrational dislike of Tilly though. I just find it very sickly sweet.

Swipe left for the next trending thread