Tilda

girlGermanicChristian

Tilda is a girl name of Germanic origin, meaning “Mighty in battle”.

MeaningMighty in battle
GenderGirl
OriginGermanic
PronunciationTIL-duh
TraditionModern & Classic, Christian
Used inSweden, United Kingdom, United States

Meaning and origin of Tilda

Tilda is a short form of Matilda, from the Germanic elements maht, 'might', and hild, 'battle'. Matilda was a royal name in medieval England and Germany, including Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I. Tilda has been used independently in Scandinavia for some time and gained wider visibility through actress Tilda Swinton. Its short, crisp sound appeals to parents who find Matilda too long. Related short forms include Tillie and Tilde.

Is Tilda a religious name?

Tilda has no direct religious meaning, though Saint Matilda, a tenth-century German queen, is honoured in the Catholic Church.

How popular is Tilda?

Popular in Sweden and increasingly used in Britain.

Gifts with the name Tilda

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Spellings and variants of Tilda

MatildaTildeTillieMathilde

Names similar to Tilda

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Tilda mean?

Tilda means 'Mighty in battle'. It is of Germanic origin.

Does Tilda have a religious meaning?

Tilda has no direct religious meaning, though Saint Matilda, a tenth-century German queen, is honoured in the Catholic Church.

How do you pronounce Tilda?

Tilda is pronounced TIL-duh.

Is Tilda a boy or girl name?

Tilda is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.