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Baby names

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

Original poster

Thoughts on the name…

53 replies

JollyTealHedgehog · 09/12/2025 21:48

DH and I are expecting our first baby in Feb. We’re really struggling to agree on any names and the only one we currently both like is Matilda (we know we’re having a daughter). Looking for honest thoughts on it as a name. I’m not sure if she’ll be saddled with Roald Dahl comments for life?

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Sparklesandspandexgallore · 12/12/2025 08:18

Nice name. Never heard anyone mention RD when the name Matilda is said.

winterbluess · 10/12/2025 21:24

There's a matilda in my sons class, its a nice name

Onefortheroad25 · 10/12/2025 21:18

I love it! I love Tilly too if it’s shortened to that.
My mother used to call me Matilda when I was being bold as a kid.

schoolsoutforever · 10/12/2025 21:16

It's a nice name but has been fairly popular for a while now. I don't automatically assume Tilly when I hear it.

staringatthesun · 10/12/2025 15:55

It's a classic girls name with a nice diminutive. Go for it!

Mariammaom · 10/12/2025 15:54

We were considering it 20 years ago but I’m glad we didn’t choose it as it became a little too fashionable in the following years.

teaandtoastwouldbenice · 10/12/2025 14:27

Matilda is lovely, very popular. And I think the RD and theatre/film connection is no bad thing -it’s a great book!!

everdine · 10/12/2025 14:23

Lovely name, like the nickname Tilly too!

Notfeelinit · 10/12/2025 14:21

Love Matilda!

We know a few and they’ve all been shortened to Tilly, so agree with others that if you’re happy with Tilly, go for it

Zov · 10/12/2025 14:15

I love it. I would shorten it to Tilly. Which I also love. Smile

Original poster
JollyTealHedgehog · 10/12/2025 14:12

Thanks all for your thoughts! And lots of options for nicknames that I like (Tilly/Mattie/Tilda). DH not keen on Tilly, but I think this is quite an inevitable nickname so we might need to rethink if this is a dealbreaker for him.

Regarding popularity it’s currently around 30th in UK and peaked a couple of years ago at 25th so meets our criteria of familiar and not needing constant spelling out etc. without being extremely common (appreciate this may vary with location and demographics, but the only Matildas I know are early 20s and early 30s respectively).

OP posts:
ToadRage · 10/12/2025 12:18

I personally don't like it. I have never met a Matilda and consider it an old lady name, plus it was my brothers favorite book. I seem to be in the minority though. If you like it, use it.

CrostaDiPizza · 10/12/2025 12:00

I think it won't date badly but I wouldn't call it timeless. It will probably be a 'born between 2005 and 2030' name.

Mariammaom · 10/12/2025 11:44

Topseyt123 · 10/12/2025 08:55

It's a lovely name, and timeless.

I wasn't a big reader of Ronald Dahl so wouldn't automatically think of that character. I don't think it matters in this instance anyway.

I don’t think it’s timeless. It has had a huge popularity surge and may well soon fall out of fashion and feel dated.

CrostaDiPizza · 10/12/2025 10:41

I don't love it but it's nice than many of the popular names.

Anonna123 · 10/12/2025 09:48

JollyTealHedgehog · 09/12/2025 21:48

DH and I are expecting our first baby in Feb. We’re really struggling to agree on any names and the only one we currently both like is Matilda (we know we’re having a daughter). Looking for honest thoughts on it as a name. I’m not sure if she’ll be saddled with Roald Dahl comments for life?

Honest thoughts, I don't love it. It's always seemed a little clunky and harsh. There's a lot of hard consonants and it has quite a staccato sound, and the nicknames are a little blah. There are so many gorgeous girls names out there with lovely meanings and sounds. I'd keep looking perhaps?

Ladybugheart · 10/12/2025 09:44

My DD has a friend Matilda, lovely name. Never heard anyone call her Tilly

user1492757084 · 10/12/2025 09:43

I love Matilda, Iff shortened it's Tilly or Tildy, both sweet, but I love the full name..
I know a Little Mattie.

Other ideas
Miranda
Maxima
Clotilde

PigeonsandSquirrels · 10/12/2025 09:42

Lovely. I know one who goes by Tilda.

Topseyt123 · 10/12/2025 08:55

It's a lovely name, and timeless.

I wasn't a big reader of Ronald Dahl so wouldn't automatically think of that character. I don't think it matters in this instance anyway.

CrostaDiPizza · 10/12/2025 08:49

It's fine but she's highly likely to be Tilda or Tilly. Matilda popularity
Natalie seems dated, and the Mathilda spelling looks wrong.

snugasabug75 · 10/12/2025 06:07

I love this name!

TheAutumnCrow · 10/12/2025 05:19

I think Mathilde is also a fine name, and might be less prone to shortening.

I also know a Matty! (As in, short for Matilda.)

StampOnTheGround · 10/12/2025 05:13

I really like Matilda, with the nickname Tilly

Springtimehere · 10/12/2025 03:21

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