Meaning & History
Etymology
Maud is a medieval English and French form of Matilda, which itself derives from the Germanic name Mahthilt, meaning "strength in battle" — from the elements maht "might, strength" and hilt "battle". In Old French, the name took the form Mahaut, which later evolved into Maud (and the variant spelling Maude). The Welsh variant is Mawd.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Though it became rare after the 14th century, Maud was revived and once more grew popular in the 19th century, perhaps due to Alfred Tennyson's 1855 poem Maud. The name has been borne by numerous members of European royalty and nobility. Among them are Maud, Countess of Huntingdon (c. 1074–1130), queen of Alba as wife of King David I of Scotland; and Empress Matilda (1102–1169), also known as Maud, daughter of King Henry I of England, who invaded England and laid the foundations for the reign of her son Henry II.
Distribution and Variants
Maud is used in Dutch, English, French, and Swedish. It has given rise to several diminutives and variants, including Maudie, Mattie, Tilda, Tillie, and Tilly. Related forms in other languages include Mathilde (French, Norwegian), Matylda (Polish), and Mechthild (German). Surnames derived from Maud include Madison and Maddison.
Key Facts
- Meaning: "strength in battle"
- Origin: Germanic, via Old French
- Type: Given name (feminine)
- Usage regions: Netherlands, England, France, Sweden
- Notable bearers: Empress Matilda, Maud of Huntingdon
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Maud (given name)