Matilda, also spelled Mathilda and Mathilde, is the English form of the Germanic female name Mahthildis, which derives from the

Old High German Old High German (OHG; german: Althochdeutsch (Ahd.)) is the earliest stage of the German language, conventionally covering the period from around 750 to 1050. There is no standardised or supra-regional form of German at this period, and Old Hig ...

" maht" (meaning "might and strength") and "

hild Hild or Hildr may refer to: * Hildr or Hild is one of the Valkyries in Norse mythology, a personification of battle * Hild or Hilda of Whitby is a Christian saint who was a British abbess and nun in the Middle Ages * Hild (Oh My Goddess!), the ult ...

" (meaning "battle"). Mathilde appeared among the top 10 most popular names for girls born in Denmark in 2008 and the name was also well-used in

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of ...

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic countries, Nordic c ...

and

Finland Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bot ...

. It is also currently rising in popularity in other European countries, including in

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

, the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and ...

and in other English-speaking countries. The name was most popular in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...

between 1880 and 1910, when it was among the top 200 names given to girls. It left the top 1,000 names in the United States by 1964, but reappeared for the first time in 44 years in the top 1,000 names as the 869th most popular name for baby girls born in 2008 in the United States.Social Security Administration
/ref>

Translations

*Mahthildis (

Ancient Germanic The Germanic peoples were historical groups of people that once occupied Central Europe and Scandinavia during antiquity and into the early Middle Ages. Since the 19th century, they have traditionally been defined by the use of ancient and ear ...

) *Matylda, Tylda ( Czech) *Mathilde, Tilde, Tille ( Danish) *Mathilde, Machteld, Mechteld ( Dutch) *Mathilda, Matilda, Matti, Mattie, Matty, Maud, Maude, Maudie, Tilda, Tilli, Tillie, Tilly (

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ...

) *Mathilde, Mahault, Mahaud, Mahaut, Maheut (

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

) *Mathilde, Mechthild, Mechthildis, Mechtild, Mechtilde, Hilde, Tilde (

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

) *Mathilde (Μαθίλδη) ( Greek) *Matilda (מטילדה) (

Hebrew Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...

) *Matild ( Hungarian) *Matthildur ( Icelandic) *Mafalda, Matelda, Matélda, Matilde ( Italian) *Machiruda () ( Japanese) *Matilda, Mathilda, Mathildis (

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through ...

) *Mǣþhild (

Old English Old English (, ), or Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest recorded form of the English language, spoken in England and southern and eastern Scotland in the early Middle Ages. It was brought to Great Britain by Anglo-Saxon settlers in the mid-5th ...

) *Matylda ( Polish) *Matilde ( Portuguese) *Matilde, Matilda ( Spanish) *Matilda (Матильда) ( Russian)

Saints

* Matilda of Ringelheim (968) * Mechthild of Sponheim,

Bad Kreuznach Bad Kreuznach () is a town in the Bad Kreuznach district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is a spa town, most well known for its medieval bridge dating from around 1300, the Alte Nahebrücke, which is one of the few remaining bridges in t ...

(1154) * Mechtildis of Edelstetten, Dießen,

Andechs Andechs is a municipality in the district of Starnberg in Bavaria in Germany. It is renowned in Germany and beyond for Andechs Abbey, a Benedictine monastery that has brewed beer since 1455. The monastery brewery offers tours to visitors. The ...

(1160) * Mechtilde of Lappion in Picardy (1200) * Mechthild of Magdeburg (1282/1294) *

Mechtilde of Hackeborn Mechtilde of Hackeborn, also known as Mechtilde of Helfta (1240/1241 – 19 November 1298), was a Saxon Christian saint (from what is now Germany) and a Benedictine nun. She was famous for her musical talents, gifted with a beautiful vo ...

(1298)

People

* Empress Matilda or Empress Maud (1102–1167), Lady of the English, Queen of Germany, daughter of Henry I of England, mother of Henry II of England * Matilda, Countess of Angus (fl. 13th century), Scottish noblewoman * Matilda, Countess of Rethel (1091–1151), French noblewoman *

Mathilda Berwald Mathilda Charlotta Berwald, née ''Cohen (surname), Cohn'' (9 March 1798 in Helsinki in Finland – 3 May 1877 in Stockholm),svar.ra.seHedvig Eleonora döda/ref> was a Finnish and Swedish people, Swedish concert singer. She was later appointed offi ...

(1798–1877) Swedish royal court singer *

Matilda Carse Matilda B. Carse (November 19, 1835 – June 3, 1917) was an Irish-born American businesswoman, social reformer, publisher, and leader of the temperance movement. With Frances E. Willard and Lady Henry Somerset, Carse helped to found the Woman' ...

(1835–1917), Irish-born American businesswoman, social reformer, publisher * Matilda Maranda Crawford (1844–1920), American-Canadian newspaper correspondent, writer, poet * Mathilda d'Orozco (1796–1863), composer *

Mathilda Enequist Eugenia ''Mathilda'' Enequist, (1833–1898) was a Swedish opera singer and singing instructor, also known as ''Signora Biondini''. Born in Visby, Gotland, Sweden, the daughter of a vicar, Johan Enequist, she was educated in Stockholm, Leipzi ...

(1833–1898), Swedish opera singer *

Mathilda Foy Mathilda (or ''Mathilde'') Foy (or ''Foj''), also known as ''Tante Esther'', (10 November 1813 – 1 November 1869), was a Swedish philanthropist and writer, known for her charitable work. She is known as a pioneer of the Sunday school, and as ...

(1813–1869), Swedish philanthropist * Mathilda Gelhaar (1813–1889), opera singer * Mathilda Linsén (1831-1872), Finnish educator * Mathilda May (born 1965), French film actress *

Matilda of England, Duchess of Saxony Matilda of England (June 1156 — June/July 1189) was an English princess of the House of Plantagenet and by marriage Duchess consort of Saxony and Bavaria from 1168 until her husband's deposition in 1180. Life Matilda was born in or around June ...

(1156–1189), Duchess of Saxony, daughter of Henry II of England * Matilda of Holstein (1220 or 1225–1288), Danish queen consort * Matilda of Savoy (1390–1498), Electress palatine * Mathilda Rotkirch (1813–1842), Finnish painter *

Matilde Camus Aurora Matilde Gómez Camus (26 September 1919 – 28 April 2012) was a Spanish poet from Cantabria who also wrote non-fiction. Life and career Aurora Matilde Gómez Camus was born in Santander, Cantabria on September 26th 1919, she was t ...

(1919–2012), Spanish poet *

Matilda Coxe Stevenson Matilda Coxe Stevenson (''née'' Evans) (May 12, 1849 – June 24, 1915), who also wrote under the name Tilly E. Stevenson, was an American ethnologist, geologist, explorer, and activist. She was a supporter of women in science, helping to estab ...

(1855–1915, née Evans), American ethnologist and author * Matilda Cugler-Poni (1851–1931), Romanian poet * Matilda Etches (1898-1974), British fashion designer * Matilda Ehringhaus (1890–1980), First Lady of North Carolina *

Matilda Lowther Matilda Grace Lowther (born 10 July 1995) is a British fashion model. Early life A granddaughter of James Lowther, 7th Earl of Lonsdale, Lowther was born to James and Vanessa Lowther and is the oldest of four siblings. Her grandmother, Nancy R ...

(b. 1995), British fashion model *Matilda Jane Sager (1839–1928), fifth of the Sager orphans * Matilda Joslyn Gage (1826–1898), 19th century American feminist and freethinker * Matilda of Boulogne (1104–1152), Queen of England, wife of Stephen of England *

Matilda of Flanders Matilda of Flanders (french: link=no, Mathilde; nl, Machteld) ( 1031 – 2 November 1083) was Queen of England and Duchess of Normandy by marriage to William the Conqueror, and regent of Normandy during his absences from the duchy. She was t ...

(c. 1031–1083), Queen of England, wife of William I of England * Matilda of Habsburg (1253–1304), Duchess consort of Bavaria * Matilda of Ringelheim, (892–968), wife of Henry the Fowler, King of

East Francia East Francia (Medieval Latin: ) or the Kingdom of the East Franks () was a successor state of Charlemagne's empire ruled by the Carolingian dynasty until 911. It was created through the Treaty of Verdun (843) which divided the former empire int ...

Matilda of Savoy, Queen of Portugal Matilda of Savoy (french: Mathilde, pt, Mafalda or Matilde; – 3 December 1157/58) was Queen of Portugal, after her marriage to King Afonso Henriques, the first sovereign of Portugal, whom she married in 1146. Origins She was the second or thir ...

(1125–1158), First Portuguese queen-consort * Matilda of Scotland (c. 1080–1118), originally named Edith, wife of Henry I of England * Matilda of Tuscany (1046–1114), Countess of Tuscany (also called Mathilde or Matilde of Canossa) * Matilda of Vianden, Lady of Požega (-after 1255), wife of John Angelos of Syrmia * Mechtilde of Hackeborn, 1240/41-1298, Saxon Christian saint and nun *

Mechtilde Lichnowsky Princess Mechtilde Lichnowsky, originally Mechtilde Christiane Marie ''Gräfin von und zu'' Arco-Zinneberg, later Mechtilde Peto (8 March 1879, in Schloss Schönburg, Pocking now in the Kreis Passau – 4 June 1958, in London) was a German aut ...

(1879–1958), German writer born Mechtilde Christiane Marie Gräfin von und zu Arco-Zinneberg * Mechtildis of Edelstetten or Mechtildis of Edelstetten (died 1160) * Mechthild of Magdeburg (c. 1207 – c. 1282/1294), Beguine and mystic *

Mechtild of Nassau Mechtild of Nassau, german ''Mechthild von Nassau'', (before 1280 – 19 June 1323) was the youngest child of Adolf, King of the Romans and his wife Imagina of Isenburg-Limburg. Mechtild is also known as ''Matilda of Nassau''. She was Duchess cons ...

(before 1280 – 19 June 1323), Duchess consort of Bavaria * Mechtilde of the Blessed Sacrament (1614–1698), French nun and founder of order *

Mechtild Rothe Mechtild Rothe (born 10 August 1947 in Paderborn, Germany) is a German politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament from 1984 until 2009. She is a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, part of the Socialist Group. D ...

(born 1947), German politician * Queen Mathilde of Belgium (born 1973), wife of King Philippe of the Belgians * Tilda Swinton (born 1960), British actress, model and artist *

Tilda Thamar Tilda Thamar (born Matilde Sofía Margarita Abrecht; 7 December 1921 – 12 April 1989) was an Argentine actor. She was born in Entre Rios Province, Argentina, in 1921. She was married to Spanish portrait painter Alejo Vidal-Quadras and divorced ...

(1921–1989), Argentine actress *Matilda Dawson (born 2000), New Zealand footballer * Matthildur Grétarsdóttir (born 2008), Icelandic Taylor Swift and Marvel enthusiast * Mechtild Ramay (born 2010), African food taster

Fictional characters

Matilda Wormwood Matilda Wormwood, also known by her adoptive name Matilda Honey, is the title character of the bestselling 1988 children's novel ''Matilda'' by Roald Dahl. She is a highly precocious five and a half (six and a half in the 1996 film) year old gir ...

, a main character in Roald Dahl's novel ''

Matilda Matilda or Mathilda may refer to: Animals * Matilda (chicken) (1990–2006), World's Oldest Living Chicken record holder * Matilda (horse) (1824–1846), British Thoroughbred racehorse * Matilda, a dog of the professional wrestling tag-team The ...

'' * Matilda de Villanegas, a fictional character in Matthew Lewis' '' The Monk''. * Matilda, a fictional character from the anime/manga '' Strike Witches'' * Mathilda, a fictional character at the end of '' Purgatorio'' of Dante's ''Divine Comedy''. * Mathilda McCann, a fictional character played by Alana Austin in the Steve Martin movie '' A Simple Twist of Fate''. * Matilda McDuck, a Disney character who is Scrooge McDuck's sister and Donald Duck's maternal aunt *bMatilda "Mattie" Hunter, a fictional character from the popular Australian soap opera ''

Home and Away ''Home and Away'' (often abbreviated as ''H&A'') is an Australian television soap opera. It was created by Alan Bateman and commenced broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. Bateman came up with the concept of the show during a tri ...

'', played by Indiana Evans. * Matilda, Cranky Doodle Donkey’s love interest in '' My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' * A fictional character in the Gothic novel '' The Castle of Otranto'', daughter of Manfred. * Matilda Ajan. * A fictional character representing

Protestantism Protestantism is a Christian denomination, branch of Christianity that follows the theological tenets of the Reformation, Protestant Reformation, a movement that began seeking to reform the Catholic Church from within in the 16th century agai ...

Heinrich Heine Christian Johann Heinrich Heine (; born Harry Heine; 13 December 1797 – 17 February 1856) was a German poet, writer and literary critic. He is best known outside Germany for his early lyric poetry, which was set to music in the form of '' Lied ...

's "The City of Lucca" and "The Baths of Lucca". * Mathilda Lando (played by Natalie Portman), Leon's apprentice and companion in Luc Besson's '' Léon''. * Tilly,

-speaking character in the pre-school children's TV show '' Tots TV''. * Matilda Ashby, character on the America soap opera

The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in fictional Genoa City (not the real-life similarly-named Genoa City, Wi ...

*Matilda Román, main antagonist (later friends with Grachi) from the

Latin American Latin Americans ( es, Latinoamericanos; pt, Latino-americanos; ) are the citizens of Latin American countries (or people with cultural, ancestral or national origins in Latin America). Latin American countries and their diasporas are multi-e ...

TV series Grachi. Played by Kimberly Dos Ramos. * Matilda "Matty" Jenkyns, a charakter from

Elizabeth Gaskell Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (''née'' Stevenson; 29 September 1810 – 12 November 1865), often referred to as Mrs Gaskell, was an English novelist, biographer and short story writer. Her novels offer a detailed portrait of the lives of many st ...

s novel Cranford who was portrayed by

Judi Dench Dame Judith Olivia Dench (born 9 December 1934) is an English actress. Regarded as one of Britain's best actresses, she is noted for her versatile work in various films and television programmes encompassing several genres, as well as for her ...

in the

TV-Series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed b ...

of the same title. *Matilda, the hen in the Angry Birds franchise. *Mathilde, a love interest and Emil's sister in the popular Danish TV series BaseBoys. *Matilda Bradbury, the real name of Laudna in the third campaign of the popular DND live-show Critical Role.

Music

Waltzing Matilda "Waltzing Matilda" is a song developed in the Australian style of poetry and folk music called a bush ballad. It has been described as the country's "unofficial national anthem". The title was Australian slang for travelling on foot (waltzing) ...

", Australian folk song. *" Matilda" is a song by alt-J (∆). *"

Matilda Mother "Matilda Mother" is a song by United Kingdom, British band Pink Floyd, featured on their 1967 debut album, ''The Piper at the Gates of Dawn''. Written by Syd Barrett, it is sung mostly by Richard Wright (musician), Richard Wright with Barrett joini ...

" is a song by

Pink Floyd Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philosophical lyrics an ...

* Mathilda - a calypso composed by Norman Span ( King Radio), which in 1953 become famous worldwide from the version by

Harry Belafonte Harry Belafonte (born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr.; March 1, 1927) is an American singer, activist, and actor. As arguably the most successful Jamaican-American pop star, he popularized the Trinbagonian Caribbean musical style with an internati ...

. *"Matilda" is a song by Harry Styles which appears on his album Harry's House.

Film

*'' Matilda's Legacy'', an Australian film starring American actor

Oliver Hardy Oliver Norvell Hardy (born Norvell Hardy; January 18, 1892 – August 7, 1957) was an American comic actor and one half of Laurel and Hardy, the double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted from 1926 to 1957. He appeared with his ...

*''

Matilda (1996 film) ''Matilda'' is a 1996 American fantasy comedy film co-produced and directed by Danny DeVito, from a screenplay written by Nicholas Kazan and Robin Swicord. Based on Roald Dahl's popular 1988 novel of the same name, the film stars Mara Wilson as t ...

'', an American film based on the

novel A novel is a relatively long work of narrative fiction, typically written in prose and published as a book. The present English word for a long work of prose fiction derives from the for "new", "news", or "short story of something new", itself ...

by British author

Roald Dahl Roald Dahl (13 September 1916 – 23 November 1990) was a British novelist, short-story writer, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter ace of Norwegian descent. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. Dahl has be ...

*'' Matilda (1978 film)

References

{{given name English feminine given names Italian feminine given names