Tilda Girl

Popularity: #931 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TIL-duh /ˈtɪldə/

Origin: German; Scandinavian

Meaning: German: mighty in battle; Scandinavian: strength

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Tilda is derived from the Germanic name Matilda, which itself originates from the Old High German elements "maht" meaning "might" or "strength" and "hild" meaning "battle." This name evolved through various forms, including the Latinized "Matilda" and the Old French "Mahaut," before being anglicized to Matilda in English. The transition into English can be traced back to the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when the name became popular among the nobility, particularly due to the influence of notable figures such as Matilda of Flanders, the wife of William the Conqueror, and Matilda of Scotland, who was married to Henry I of England.

Throughout the medieval period, the name Matilda was borne by several queens and saints, which contributed to its prominence in England. One of the most significant historical milestones associated with the name is the reign of Empress Matilda, the daughter of Henry I, who was a key figure in the English civil war known as The Anarchy during the 12th century.

Her claim to the throne and subsequent struggles for power helped solidify the name's association with strength and resilience. In terms of cultural resonance, the name Tilda, as a diminutive form of Matilda, has been embraced in various literary and artistic contexts.

It evokes a sense of charm and femininity while retaining the strength inherent in its roots. The name has been featured in various works of literature and media, often symbolizing a character with a strong will or an adventurous spirit.

Overall, Tilda carries with it a rich historical legacy, reflecting themes of strength and nobility that have persisted through the centuries.

Famous people named Tilda

In this section, you will find notable people named Tilda. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Tilda who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Tilda who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Tilda Swinton is an actress best known for Michael Clayton, We Need to Talk About Kevin, and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Tilda Swinton is a fashion icon known for her unique style and collaborations with designers.

Fictional characters named Tilda

The following list of fictional characters named Tilda is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Tilda is a fictional character from the novel and film The Witch. She is a powerful and enigmatic witch who plays a central role in the story's dark themes of fear and superstition.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Tilda, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MatildaLydiaCeciliaClaraNinaFreya

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Tilda. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

MildaHildaGildaWildaTaliaTinaLilaMina

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Tilda was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Tilda has ranked as high as #2485 nationally, which occurred in 1924, and has been most popular in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Virginia.

In the past 5 years the name Tilda has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Tilda is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Tilda was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Tilda.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 17 17
2024 13 13
2023 20 20
2022 21 21
2021 18 18
2020 14 14
2019 13 13
2018 17 17
2017 21 21
2016 13 13
2015 18 18
2014 10 10
2013 6 6
2012 10 10
2011 9 9
2010 9 9
2009 10 10
2008 6 6
2006 8 8
1977 5 5
1976 6 6
1975 5 5
1973 7 7
1971 5 5
1970 10 10
1969 7 7
1968 10 10
1967 12 12
1966 12 12
1965 12 12
1964 18 18
1963 20 20
1962 22 22
1961 18 18
1960 12 12
1959 22 22
1958 23 23
1957 24 24
1956 11 11
1955 19 19
1954 15 15
1953 15 15
1952 17 17
1951 11 11
1950 19 19
1949 19 19
1948 5 5
1947 23 23
1946 17 17
1945 22 22
1944 14 14
1943 8 8
1942 13 13
1941 16 16
1940 13 13
1939 22 22
1938 18 18
1937 23 23
1936 17 17
1935 27 27
1934 21 21
1933 21 21
1932 22 22
1931 17 17
1930 19 19
1929 22 22
1928 29 29
1927 32 32
1926 25 25
1925 24 24
1924 35 35
1923 26 26
1922 29 29
1921 32 32
1920 26 26
1919 28 28
1918 29 29
1917 29 29
1916 29 29
1915 19 19
1914 16 16
1913 18 18
1912 28 28
1911 18 18
1910 15 15
1909 22 22
1908 14 14
1907 22 22
1906 14 14
1905 23 23
1904 17 17
1903 15 15
1902 24 24
1901 23 23
1900 21 21
1899 15 15
1898 19 19
1897 22 22
1896 19 19
1895 27 27
1894 14 14
1893 17 17
1892 16 16
1891 15 15
1890 26 26
1889 13 13
1888 17 17
1887 18 18
1886 28 28
1885 17 17
1884 17 17
1883 31 31
1882 15 15
1881 16 16
1880 7 7

Top States for Tilda (2010)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 5
100%