Matilda

[looki]

Apologies if this has been done a thousand times but names go in and out and opinions change as a name gets more popular.

What do you think of when you hear the name Matilda?

Are there are well....chav associations with it? Sorry for using the 'c' word but my other front runner seems to be associated with this word which has turned me off the name.

Thanks

It seems my posts are intentionally or unintentionally being misinterpreted. For the record I had a name in mind, I searched (mostly) on here to see what the general opinion is and read it was considered a pretty awful name. I read it was a 'chav' name as welll as a lot more less than positive comments. 'Chav' to clarify isn't a word used where I am from (Ireland) and I'm not sure there is even an equivalent word in Ireland as the same names are generally used whether well off or not, but I know what the word implies. That really surprised me as I quite obviously didn't think that way or I wouldn't have chosen it myself.

So I am now looking at another name and again I wouldn't see it as being an awful name but it seems that I was completely wrong the first time so am trying to find out how my second favourite name is perceived. I am doubting pretty much every name now as my baby will grow up in the UK and I want her to have a name that doesn't have negative associations .

You can say ignore other opinions etc but the whole point of this board is to ask for opinions and advice.

I'm not interested in getting into an argument or derailing the thread further so thanks for your comments.

'It seems my posts are intentionally or unintentionally being misinterpreted.'

Intentionally misinterpreted? Oh please. You are the one who mentioned 'chav', you are the one who said 'screamed across Iceland'. It's pretty clear what your where your prejudices lie.

You can rest easy knowing that Matilda is generally considered a middle class name in the UK. Phew.

I hear it ALL the time, it's z very popular name where I am, and I reckon you'll get little pockets of areas where the name is extremely popular.

That being said, I really like it, and don't think it's chavvy at all (yet!)

My dd has this name, I do hope it isn't chavvy as it is too late to change!

The song 'Waltzing Matilda'. Usually the rude version though.

Gosh, this is getting a bit catty.

Fwiw - I get what you mean looki. Whether or not you make judgements about people based on their name or perceived social status, others will. No one wants to give their child a negative label at birth.

That said, my first reaction to the name Matilda was that it was a bit posh (is there a Tilly on Made in Chelsea??). It is very pretty though, and I loved the book.

It isn't that popular. 36th or whatever it is is nothing like top 10. In all 8 years of having one, we have met one other. Conversely, we have a Raphael which isn't even top 100 and I've met 6 in 3 years. 2 will be in his class at school. So 3 Raphaels in one class. And no Mathildas.

We use the Mathilda spelling. Not because we are pretentious but because of our heritage.

I do think there is an argument for avoiding names sometimes. If you start a thread and people are v negative about a name, of course you would reconsider. Presumably, that is why you ask. You may stick with the name anyway but the whole point of asking is to garner opinion. I am more likely to use a name if MN hates it though. Just ask my baby Balonz.

Balonz.

That underused classic.

It is popular and I love it.
In terms of 'chaviness' - in the same way charlotte or jessica were, you get people from all classes using it and they are lovely names.
I love the possible nicknames too - Tildy, Tilly, Tilda, Mattie

Both Lola and Layla are higher up the lists of popularity than Matilda. Phoebe too. They are never described as popular really. I think Matilda is a very MN type name. I had 3 on my antenatal thread on here but still know none in rl. It fits the MN demographic so perhaps seems popular. It isn't though. Not like Evie, Eva, Ella etc. I know a squillion of each.

I think of the book. It's not a name I'm very fond of but there's nothing wrong with it.

OP I think most people with more then 2 brain cells read your opening post as it was intended

I'm in the essex / london area and we don't have many Matilda's here at school. DS is 6 and have never come across one at school or nursery etc.

I wouldn't call it chav but that seems to be a geographical thing by what others are saying.

I think it's lovely. The only thing I would say is when thinking of names I try to imagine them being able to go to business meetings when they're 30+ and introduce themselves.

Sounds silly but that is my test with names to check that they aren't too cutesy.

At the last check my brain cells were found to be in plentiful supply thanks. I read the post as it was intended.

Really?

All I see is you trolling the baby names board constantly putting harsh, mean and rude comments to the ops.

Maybe I was harsh to suggest a lack of brain cells - maybe a lack of any sensitivity. It's possible to put across an opinion without being unjustifiably horrid for no reason.

I don't believe I was 'unjustifiably horrid' as you put it. I do believe though that if you're happy to dismiss names as being 'chav' well then maybe you need to check your own sensitivity levels.

'All I see is you trolling the baby names board constantly putting harsh, mean and rude comments to the ops.'

I'm happy to disagree hear too, I give my honest opinion which is often quite positive. But if you're of the opinion that I troll then by all means please report me.

If you weren't hen why have your comments been deleted for being offensive?

Also it's not just me that is of that opinion.

Your name has been mentioned and pointed out by several people on a group I am on and all of them mentioned your name as being a horrid name troller that posts harsh and unfair things.

Obviously all of us are wrong.

squoosh tut

I have a Matilda.

I also shop at iceland and I am in no way middle class.

Don't let me put you off though.

Well, who knew I had reached such dizzy heights of fame. A true honour, being bitched about on a group and given the title of Horrid Name Troller That Posts Harsh and Unfair Things. I hope I get a tiara or at the very least a badge.

squoosh was just giving an opinion. Mines is that Matilda is a bit twee ( Also didn't know their was Iceland in Ireland)

Ahem. * There!

Well this has spiralled. FWIW I think the complete opposite of 'chav' when I hear Matilda, it's a distinctly middle class name to me. As are the shortenings Tilly or Tilda. I wouldn't choose a name based on what class I thought it represented though, I just went for a name I liked.

I think it's a perfectly nice name, definitely not chavvy x

It's a lovely name looki we had it on our list but I vetoed only because I wanted a name that couldn't be shortened, the only reason.

I do get your meaning behind "chav" comment as in my area there are names considered chavvy whereas in other areas they are considered to be non chavvy.
I do also understand your "screaming in Iceland" comment as a school teacher friend of mine was put off a lot of names simply because she had shouted at children with same name in her class on a regular basis.

I have seen some of the personal comments early on, one especially calling the poster a specific quite offensive word. I have to say I am shocked that comments like that are used,at end of the day "we are all in this together", all trying to get through 9 months of sickness, tiredness etc, the last thing I would want is a perfect stranger calling me a "k**b" on something as simple as a thread asking about a baby's name suggestion. Call me old-fashioned but I think that there are ways and means of expressing an opinion without resorting to calling someone a word like that.

And squoosh you were not called any names, given no fame either, you weren't even mentioned by name, everyone just read the thread and realised it was yourself...... And no there will be no badge or tiara given.

I'm afraid you have no business sitting on that high horse Elizabeth. You criticise my perceived failings while quite happily describing names as 'chav' and 'non chav' or one that might be heard 'screamed in Iceland'? And you don't seen any irony in that? Hilarious.

So no, I don't see you as old-fashioned I see you as prejudiced and snobbish. And snobbery is not a characteristic I admire in others.

I don't have a high horse, or any other height of horse, I couldn't afford one on my wage at a low cost supermarket.

As for rest of your comment, my Mum raised me better than to stoop to a level where name calling is used.