Matilda or?

[emwithme]

DD1 is due in December.

We both like quite classical/biblical/historical names but there's been a real glut of girls in both our families in recent years and most of the names we like have been taken!

I thought we'd chosen Matilda but all DH can think of now is that it was his brother's stuffed hedgehog when they were growing up and isn't sure that he still wants it!

Names we like but can't use:

Rebecca
Rachael
Victoria
Hannah
Harriet
Olivia
Alice

Our current shortlist is:

Matilda (still my favourite!)
Miriam
Ruth
Dinah
Clara
Beatrice
Eleanor

Is there a name that we're missing that would "beat" Matilda?

I like Miriam and Eleanor. Very classy but strong

Matilda & Clara are lovely

Other suggestions

Meredith
Madeleine
Frances
Florence
Camille

Cassia
Jasmine
Aurora
Grace
Angelica
Gabriella
Susannah
Marianne
Julia
Christina
Elizabeth
Faith
Olivia
Sophia
Victoria
Theodora
Zinnia
Marissa
Rowena
Phoebe
Lucy
Imogen

Clara is nice. How about:

Charlotte
Margaret (nn Meg/Maggie)
Caroline
Dorothea
Eleanor
Annabel
Emmeline
Marianne
Jessica

Meredith?

I love verity! Not as common as Matilda either (there seems to be lots of them recently)

I know three sisters called Tabitha, Matilda and Zoë.

What about Imelda?

It flows the same way as Matilda

I like Matilda but it is very very popular in my area (midlands)

I love Ruth from your list

Have you considered Lydia or Helena

❤️ Ruth.
How about Rosanna ?

Miranda

I love Margot (the o ending just feels fresh and quirky for girls...) and Louisa. Louisa is classic, not too popular, has a strong meaning and imo very positive associations. (Imo a name that could "beat" Matilda)

Clara and Matilda are also lovely. The hedgehog is imo a rather cute namesake. (And the association would quickly change from hedgehog to your DD imo...)

Other suggestions: Susannah, Felicity, Deborah, Anna, Mary, Maria, Alexandra, Margaret, Greta, Theresa, Catherine, Carina, Laura, Daphne, Miranda, Philippa, Emily, Claudia, Cecilia, Lydia.

We have a Matilda so I’m a bit biased! If you go with Matilda, you can shorten to Mati or Tilly, or perhaps Tilda. So many options!

I have a great aunt named Matilda who is commonly called Mimi. And another relative called Matilde whose nn is Tilde/Tilda.

It's a very versatile and strong name imo :)

I love Matilda (but not Tilly).

Miriam is lovely.

I have a Matilda Hermione. It’s a beautiful and classic name. Plus I do baby imms and I haven’t vaccinated many Matilda’s. I’ve vaccinated a few Tilly’s but not actual Matilda’s.