Thoughts on the name…

[JollyTealHedgehog]

DH and I are expecting our first baby in Feb. We’re really struggling to agree on any names and the only one we currently both like is Matilda (we know we’re having a daughter). Looking for honest thoughts on it as a name. I’m not sure if she’ll be saddled with Roald Dahl comments for life?

Matilda is lovely. Though she'll probably be called Tilly throughout her life so you need to make sure you like that too! Have you had a look back through your family's history/past relatives to see what names the women in your families had - that may help.

It’s fine, quite ordinary, an unobtrusive kind of name. I wouldn’t particularly associate it with the Roald Dahl character. I think in your shoes I’d be thinking about whether it would annoy you if she kept being addressed as Tilly.

Matilda is a wonderful name. And she’s a hero in the Dahl book so it isn’t a bad connection

I love it.

But it is increasingly popular if that's a concern.

We have a Matilda in the family and she's never been called Tilly. I really wouldn't worry about this. She might get Tilda occasionally, but it's a bold stranger who just calls someone, introduced as Matilda, Tilly.

It's a lovely name. I think it's mainstream enough that the Roald Dahl story is just one of those things, not a major, only thing.

I don't actually think a shortening is inevitable. I know a 6 yr old Matilda who goes by her full name and always has.

Having said that, if there's a shortening you prefer then I'd suggest getting her attached to it before she starts to school as it's more likely to stick. Tilly is obvious but I also know a teen Matilda who has always gone by Tilda. Mattie is also another option if you fancy it.

I love Mathilda / Matilda. I know quite a few, with ages spanning quite a few decades.

I think it’s quite timeless. The Roald Dahl character is definitely not the first thing that springs to mind.

A wide variation in abbreviations too: Mat, Mati, Tilda, Ticky, Tilly….

Lovely name.

Matilda is a lovely name.
And I don't think she will be saddled with Roald Dahl comments.

Matilda is a fantastic name. It’s quite popular, but I don’t think that matters.

It’s lovely.

Matilda is lovely but I prefer Natalie with nn Tilly.

Matilda is a fine name. It’s a bit clunky and slightly dated, but a sound name.

My daughter's best friend is Matilda, I think it's lovely

Another vote for Matilda. Love it, it’s a classic.

Love the name Matilda and nearly went with it for DD2. My sticking point was the potential shortenings as I only really liked Tilda and didn’t want a Tilly or a Matty. We ended up using it as DD2’s middle name.

It’s ok, quite popular, and generally shortened to Tilly

A lovely name, William the Conqueror’s wife was called Matilda.

I like it but there have been a lot of them in the last decade. They usually end up Tilly or Tilda, so you have to be OK with that.

It's deffo not dated, there are loads of them from mid teens down.

I like it. The Matilda I know isn't known as Tilly, if I've heard anyone call her by a shortening it's 'Tilda'.

It’s fine, I would call her Matty though I think

I would immediately think of the Australian song Waltzing Matilda but that probably just shows my age.

Love Matilda. X

The first ones I knew (working in childcare 20 years ago) made me think of the book character, but it doesn't now.. it just makes me think of real Matildas I've known :)

Matilda is a beautiful name!