Matilda is a feminine given name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German elements maht 'might, strength' and hilt 'battle', giving it the meaning 'strength in battle'. The name originally appeared as Mahthildis or Mahthilt and was borne by Saint Matilda, the wife of the 10th-century German king Henry I the Fowler, known for her piety and charitable works. The name was common in European royalty, especially among the Normans. It was brought to England by the Normans and was borne by Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror. Another notable bearer was Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I of England, who claimed the English throne and later supported the accession of her son Henry II. The name declined in England by the 15th century, often replaced by the vernacular form Maud and its variant Maude. Both Matilda and Maud were revived in the 19th century and remain in use. The name gained cultural prominence from the Australian folk song Waltzing Matilda (1895), which has become an unofficial national anthem. It also inspired characters in literature and film, such as Roald Dahl's Matilda (1988). Variants and Related Forms Common variants include Mathilda (Scandinavian, Dutch), Mathilde (French, German, Norwegian), and Maud (English, French). Diminutives include Mattie, Tilda, Tillie, Tilly (English), Tilde (Swedish, Danish), and Maudie (English). Other language forms: Matylda (Polish), Mafalda (Italian, Portuguese), and Mould (English surname). The English surname Madison (meaning 'son of Maud') is a notable surname descendant. Distribution Matilda is used across many languages, including English, Finnish, Swedish, Slovak, and Slovene, with varying popularity. It has seen a resurgence in recent years in English-speaking countries. Meaning: strength in battle Origin: Germanic (Mahthildis) Type: Feminine given name Usage Regions: English, Finnish, Swedish, Slovak, Slovene, and more Related Names: Maud, Mathilda, Tilly, Madison