Matilda??

[El91]

My partner and I have been set on the name Matilda for our baby girl due in May. I love it but after world book day yesterday my partner has been out off it slightly after seeing loads of kids dress up as Matilda from Roald Dahls Matilda 🤣
I’m worried now that when people hear her name she’ll be associated with the book/movie.

Also how popular is the name Matilda? I don’t know of any in my area but I read somewhere that it was quite a popular name.

I like the name Matilda and I wouldn’t be put off by what anybody thinks.

@Aquamarine1029

I know loads of people like it, but I hate Matilda. Old fashioned in the worst way possible and just clunky. I can't imagine any girl/woman being happy with that name in today's world.

It's a shocking lack of imagination you've got there!

I think Matilda will always be associated with the book/film/musical, but as pp said she's a fantastic character, one of the best from children's fiction. It's a great character to be associated with.

It is quite popular and has been for a while, but lots of Matilda's use Tilly/Milly/Mattie/Tilda so the number who actually go by Matilda is probably fewer than the statistics suggest.

I think it’s a lovely name. I don’t think it’s too popular, but it’s also not very unusual if that makes sense.

So at work there’s nowhere near as many little Matildas as there is Amelias or Evies or Ellies but there will always be one or two Matildas. I think of it as similar to Florence, like I’m never surprised to look at my list and see a Florence. Whereas I recently had an Anastasia and thought ‘that’s unusual’ because I’d never looked after one. But Matilda is a lovely name, and I think the associations with Matilda the book are good ones! She’s fab.

I have a Matilda (3years). It is quite popular but I love it. My son has an unusual name which I also love but i have far more compliments about Matilda's name. It means 'mighty in battle' which is a very appropriate name for our girl! 😂

I think it’s a beautiful name. It was my Grandma’s name and I was always did Amy parents hadn’t called me after her. I’m a primary teacher and I’m the 18 years I’ve been teaching I’ve only ever taught 2 Matilda’s, do I don’t think it’s that common a name.

My friend has a Matilda she's 13 and lovely girl, so i like it.

One of my favourite names. Not sure where old fashioned and clunky come from!

I think it’s a lovely name and like Tilda as a nn. It is a famous book but she is a strong, resilient and intelligent character so that’s not bad, and lots of names have some kind of famous tv, film or book character associated with them. I don’t think it’s an overwhelming association. In terms of popularity I have three kids and among the many kids we know through them there is only one Matilda.

Love it!! The world needs more little Matildas.

I love it, Tilly is a gorgeous non too.

My DD is called Matilda. I love the name. It can be shortened to Tilly, Matti or Tilda. It means “mighty battler” and suggests strength and determination which o think girls need. At our school we have 2 Matildas in juniors and 1 in secondary.

I have a Matilda, we call her Tilda most of the time. Or Batilda. Or Teabags. Or Teapots.

I’ve had nothing but nice comments about her name, I’m sure some people won’t like it but she’s not their child so I don’t care!

I met a lovely looking dog called Matilda a few months ago as well.

I hate the name Matilda. And yes, everyone's first thought will be the shit Danny Devito film.

@YvanEhtNiojYvanEhtNioj

I hate the name Matilda. And yes, everyone's first thought will be the shit Danny Devito film.

I love the movie. And if it is someone’s first thought then it’s surely a good one! There’s much worse things to be associated with than a character like Matilda!

I think it's a bit over used now. I know four Matildas under ten - two are in the same class. There are no other names that I know so many of.

@YvanEhtNiojYvanEhtNioj

I hate the name Matilda. And yes, everyone's first thought will be the shit Danny Devito film.

Only if they don't read or go to the theatre. I think the book and the musical are probably more known these days.

Although I loved the film too.

I like it. However, it is quite popular among my dc's friends. 23 to 27. Matilda is great but I do think the Tillys got lost in a sea of Millys, Ellies, etc. Matilda, Eleanor, Emily/Camilla are all better but parents don't chose nick names.

I love it and I think the character Matilda is a great namesake!

My daughter is called Matilda and the book/musical was one of the reasons. Fabulously strong, female character. People love the name but it’s not rare now, I’m a teacher and have never taught one but there are lots at the toddler/baby groups. My Matilda’s nn is Tilda.

I dislike the name Tilly. We actually started calling our DD this but grew to dislike it early on so she is Tilda.

I know two Matildas, both 7. Can't say the Roald Dahl thing has ever really been that prominent in my mind tbh.

I have a Matilda, chosen because of the novel/musical! I always assumed it would get shortened in some way but she's 6 now and doesn't respond to any nicknames. Except for Matilda Moo, or just Moo most of the time :)

I think it’s lovely and not too linked with the book/film/musical at all. I would have considered it but wasn’t sure on the shortened forms. My aunt had a dog called tillie so that was a bit ruined for me! It’s lovely in its full version though.

It’s a great name. I do like a name that lasts a thousand years. Although I do think Henry I went a bit far having four daughters called Matilda.