Matilda is a popular choice in the UK, ranked #31 in 2024. There's a good chance they'll share their name with at least one classmate throughout school.
Origin & Meaning
Germanic — Battle-mighty
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UK Rank 2024
#31
US Rank #410
About the Name Matilda
Matilda is holding steady in the rankings at #31. It reached its peak of #25 in 2016 and has maintained consistent levels since — the hallmark of a name with lasting rather than trend-driven appeal. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It has spent 20 of the last 29 years inside the UK top 100 — a mark of enduring mainstream appeal.
In terms of origin, Matilda is rooted in Germanic, where it means "Battle-mighty". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
Matilda is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it sits at #410 — notably more popular in the UK than across the Atlantic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Matilda
Unlikely. With around 1,220 UK babies named Matilda per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Matilda in her class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Matilda has held a stable position around #31 for several years. It reached its recorded peak of #25 in 2016 and has maintained consistent levels since — suggesting lasting rather than trend-driven appeal.
The name Matilda has Germanic origins and means "Battle-mighty". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Notable people named Matilda include: Matilda Sturridge — Matilda Alyson Faith Rosenblatt (née Sturridge) is an English actor.; Matilda Brown — Matilda Brown is an Australian actor, writer and director.; Matilda Kearns — Matilda Emily Kearns is an Australian Olympic water polo player who plays for the Australian national team..
Matilda appears in the US top 500 at #410 in 2024 — moderately popular in America, though less so than in the UK.
1,220
UK babies named Matilda (2024)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.6
In a school of 600
→ Stable
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Matilda
Likely around 1 other Matilda in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Matilda
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Matilda Emily Kearns is an Australian Olympic water polo player who plays for the Australian national team. Her father, Phil Kearns AM, a former Rugby Union player for the Wallabies, and her mother Julie Kearns.
Empress Matilda, also known as Empress Maud, was Holy Roman Empress as the consort of Emperor Henry V from 1110 until his death in 1125, and was subsequently a claimant to the English throne during the civil war known as the Anarchy. Following the death of her father, King Henry I of England, she asserted her right to the English throne as his only surviving legitimate child and styled herself Lady of the English.
Matilda of Flanders (French: Mathilde; Dutch: Machteld; German: Mechtild) was Queen of England and Duchess of Normandy by marriage to William the Conqueror, and regent of Normandy during his absences from the duchy.
Matilda of Scotland, also known as Good Queen Maud, was Queen consort of England and Duchess of Normandy as the first wife of King Henry I. She acted as regent of England on several occasions during Henry's absences: in 1104, 1107, 1108, and 1111.