Alternative to Matilda

[Spanishgreekenglishfamily]

When expecting my boys I had my heart set on Matilda if they had been girls.
Unfortunately, a couple of friends have used it so don't think I can anymore without looking like I'm copying.
Also, I dislike Tilly as a nickname. Don't really like nicknames full stop.
What else would I like?
Welcome to comment on above situation and if you think I should still use it anyway.

Tabitha?

The Matilda I know is a Tilda, rather than a Tilly.

If you really like it I would use it anyway.
Names I think of that are "like Matilda" (I don't really know why!)

Amelia
Violet
Lydia
Phoebe

Was also going to suggest Tabitha

Otherwise

Jemima
Agatha

Matilda is a great name and absolutely no reason why she should be a Tilly if you don't want her to. If you love, I'd use it.

Other suggestions:

Astrid
Margot
Elodie
Elizabeth
Cariad
Isobel
Madeline

what about malinda or madeline

Margaret (nn Maggie, Maisie, Molly, Marnie, Peggy)

Amelia (nn Mimi)

Madeleine
Beatrice
Evelyn

Jemima, Beatrice, Phoebe, Eloise, Clara

I misread your title without my glasses as ‘Alternative to Mogadishu’ and thought you were making some somewhat risky travel plans.

Tabitha, Martha, Beatrice,Lydia,Imogen, Dorothea, Florence, Adelaide, Harriet, Adeline, Miranda, Clara, Maud?

If you don't like idea of nicknames, then you should use simple or short name

Megan
Eloise
Alice
Gwen
Louise
Helena
Polina
Cecily

Tabitha was my immediate first thought too. I also like Adelina which has a similar feel I think

Hilda
Ada
Eliza
Clara
Henrietta
Agatha
Monica

In terms of the situation, for me it would depend how close the friends are as to whether I'd use it. Friends you see casually, kids won't spend much time together - go for it. Close friends where the kids will "grow up together" - I would pick a different name.

Some ideas:
Harriet
Tabitha (suggested before and definitely good)
Anabel
Martha
Caterina
Saskia
Eleanor
Amelia
Penelope

Phoebe
Amelie
Emelia
Willow

Tabitha was my first thought.
Jemima
Sabrina
Melissa
Hilda
Miranda
Beatrice
Cassandra
Vanessa
Margaretta
Nancy

What is it about Matilda that you like. Is it the letters, the stress pattern or the vibe?

I think it sounds a strong, confident name. Tilly by contrast seems a bit wet.

I hadn't read the thread, but surprised to see Beatrice already suggested a few times. I'd look at other Shakespearean names.

Edith
Penelope
Martha
Harriet
Rosamond
Dinah
Agnes
Eleanor
Isabel
Celeste
Beatrice

Natalie/ Natalia
Melinda / Miranda
Camilla
Charlotte
Violet
Penelope
Amelia
Eloise
Margot
Harper
Iris

Madeleine
Chloe
Claudia
Alexandra
Magdalene
Andrea
Juliet
Elspeth
Annabelle
Isabelle

Marianne
Helena
Rosalind

Alice
Frances
Caroline
Edith
Harriet
Martha

Mattea (matt ay a) I know an exquisite little girl called this.

In medieval times, Maud was interchangeable with Matilda.

Arabella
Felicity
Seren
Matilde
Claudia

Meredith?

I think Madeline is most like Matilda, but if you don't like nicknames I would go for something which is less obviously likely to be abbreviated. So Maud or Margot were good suggestions, but also things like Laura, Emma, Emily, Sarah, Enid, Erin etc which don't have that obvious route to abbreviating.