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Original poster

Matilda just too popular???

33 replies

brockleyD · 25/10/2010 10:15

My husband and I love the name Matilda but it seems its very popular at the moment, anybody else found this? I don't want there to be three other Matildas in her class at school!

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ValiumSkeleton · 25/10/2010 10:22

I think there was a rush of them about five years ago. Maybe has calmed down a bit now.

I don't really like it though. Zelda or Belinda much nicer.

DramaInPyjamas · 25/10/2010 10:24

Depends on where you live I suppose.
In my whole life I have never known of a Matilda (except the book/movie).

It's a nice name though.

ayjayjay · 25/10/2010 10:24

I think it depends where you live. My DD (15 weeks) is named Matilda and everyone has said wha an unusual name it is.

However since her birth I have been noticing the name more. It's not a really popular name like Grace or Chloe etc. but it's not very very uncommon either.

megonthemoon · 25/10/2010 10:25

It is very popular I think. I love it - have a great aunt called Matilda who is rather fabulous - but there are quite a lot of Tillys and Matildas around at the moment.

duchesse · 25/10/2010 10:25

Thanks to Heath Ledger I suspect. We wanted to call DD3 Matilda, didn't in the end and called her Madeleine, which now seems to be just as popular as Matilda! Just shows how out of touch we were with modern baby names... We've decided to call her by her second name (always gone by Bug until now as we were so unsure about Madeleine).

fwiw I think Matilda is lovely, but as you say just didn't want her Matilda L for ever more.

smother · 25/10/2010 10:27

I think it's quite popular TBH, esp with nn Tilly.

I also think it feels popular because it has a similar feel to other names - lots of Tillys, Millys, Lilys, Mollys and Madeleines, Amelias, Maisys etc

BUT if you love it I really wouldn't let that put you off - it's hard enough to find a name you love at the best of times!

Original poster
brockleyD · 25/10/2010 10:44

Oh its so hard isn't it, I just feel really disappointed that it is quite so popular as I really can't find another name I like as much! I am going to keep searching. I have never met anyone with my name, so for me its a very strange thing to have a name that is popular.

Thanks for all your advice,
D

OP posts:
megonthemoon · 25/10/2010 10:47

Perhaps come up with a nickname other than Tilly for her so she can be known as that at school, so she is still the only one? My aunt is known as Tilda, and one little Matilda I know has become Tilda too, and that is far less common than Tilly as a nn.

Original poster
brockleyD · 25/10/2010 11:40

That is a good idea, I like Tilda...Will consider it.

OP posts:
pressyourthumbs · 25/10/2010 17:43

I don't think it is very common where I am. I like the Tilda plan. Nice name!

Original poster
brockleyD · 25/10/2010 17:47

I am in London and everyone I know seems to know a Matilda.... Its such a nice name though...

OP posts:
weepootle · 25/10/2010 17:51

I have one and don't know any others, I think it may be over-popular in London but not out-with.

Original poster
brockleyD · 25/10/2010 18:18

Yes, and I am thinking of moving to Edinburgh at some point in the next few years...!

OP posts:
amidaiwish · 25/10/2010 18:26

i know 2, so not THAT many. (SW London)

MilkNoSugarPlease · 25/10/2010 18:34

I'm in North London and only know the one I went to school with 10y ago!

Its a lovely name :)

weepootle · 25/10/2010 18:39

Well you'll be fine then- Matilda is not popular in Scotland!

weepootle · 25/10/2010 18:41

We're not in Scotland btw but my family are.

Mrsmackie · 25/10/2010 21:20

Loads of them where I live (in Manchester) Most seem to be 'Tillys'. I think it is a really pretty name but do think it is very 'of the moment'

expectingno3 · 25/10/2010 22:02

Are you in Brockley by any chance, brockleyd? I'm in Lee, and I know of no Matildas!

muminthemiddle · 26/10/2010 12:01

If you like it then go for it, whatever you choose you cannot stop others from choosing it too. Personally I think it will turn out to be a Sharon or Tracy name (no offence to Sharons and Tracys!) ie very common for a short time and then quite cringeworthy-sorry.

5DollarShake · 26/10/2010 13:36

My best friend has a 21 month old Matilda, and she is the only one I know, out of friends and family in NZ, England and Ireland.

I think it is popular, but not one in every class popular.

CatBumMouth · 27/10/2010 17:13

It's not that popular-number 46 in 2009, down 3 from 2008.

Janus · 27/10/2010 20:13

My dd3 is Tilly, ie we just called her on birth certificate Tilly not Matilda, but we have done that with dd1, just called her the short version of a name rather than longer name.
I have, however, met many dogs called Tilly when I'm out walking ours Grin !

4andnotout · 27/10/2010 20:16

I too have a Tilly (even on her birth certificate) and I don't know of any Matilda's where we live (Norfolk)

LetThereBeRock · 27/10/2010 20:18

It is quite popular,but I'd use it anyway. It's a lovely name.