Message: "Matilda" - Behind the Name

Matilda

by rooster

3/6/2011, 2:19 PM

My boyfriend and I were discussing our favourite names the other night and when I mentioned Matilda (my no. 1 girls name) he really liked it and said it was his favourite out of my top names. However when I mentioned that her nickname would be Tilly he laughed saying that you can't call a child Tilly. He said the only nickname choice was Mattie - which I hate!

WDYT? What is the best nickname for Matilda? Tilly / Tillie or Mattie and why?

Note: the nickname is likely just to be a nickname i.e. she will mainly go by Matilda.

Thanks in advance

#Matilda

Replies

- Betsabé (betsabe)

3/8/2011, 12:43 PM

Tilly is much nicer, I don't like Mattie at all.

My cousin has a daughter called Matilda, they call her Tilda.

- Kitty (vomiting)

3/7/2011, 2:57 PM

Tilly is fine. Laugh back at your boyfriend. Tell him in countries where Matilda is popular Tilly is used often - it's true.

- WCSAngel

3/7/2011, 2:04 PM

I've got a cousin called Matilda. She goes by Tilly most of all, but a lot of the family calls her Tilda or Tillster.

- Brookelle (brookellie) +1

3/6/2011, 10:51 PM

I like Mattie best. It feels more natural to me and I think it's adorable

I love Matilda. It's my favorite name =]

- WCSAngel

3/7/2011, 2:03 PM

Ignore.

This message was edited 3/7/2011, 2:03 PM

- Anneza

3/6/2011, 10:00 PM

I had a colleague once who was a Matilda and went by Tilda. She was an elegant, artistic woman and a very skilled mathematics teacher. Tilda sounds a bit typographical, but I liked it and it suited her.

That said, I've got nothing against either Tilly or Matty; I've also known a Matsy!

This message was edited 3/6/2011, 10:01 PM

- Pink Princess

3/6/2011, 8:23 PM

I too love the name Matilda with the nn Tilly. Tilly is so cute for a baby/child/teen/young adult and then Matilda is great on a grown woman. Mattie is a horrible nn imo!

- Elena

3/6/2011, 7:38 PM

I love Matilda but I'm with the bf on the nn Tilly. I should like it but don't. I happen to like Mattie (which has a lot of spunk) as well though there's nothing intrinsically wrong with Tilly. I mean, it rhymes with silly but that's not my problem with it. I suppose it doesn't seem suited for a grown woman to me -- more for a child. BTW, I know a family with a cat named Tilly so it IS being used. ;-)

Since you're planning to call her by the full name, I don't think I'd worry about it. And you never know. She (or her friends) may decide on a completely different nn to call herself.

- kudriashkajo (jodirae)

3/6/2011, 6:57 PM

I'm with your boyfriend on this one. Mattie is awesome. She's a delightful tomboy who is still sweetly innocent. Awesome nickname!

Tilly just reminds me of the hat. http://www.tilley.com/default.aspx And of old biddies gossiping on the front porch while they drink iced tea.

NOt that I want to distract away form Mattie, but what about Tilda, Millie, Mat, or Mats?

- Orsino (bananarama)

3/6/2011, 5:24 PM

I prefer Tilly as a nickname for Matilda. Mattie is okay, but a little old-fashioned.

I like the name Matilda. It's nice on its own.

- Gia (gio2475) +1

3/6/2011, 3:24 PM

I like both, but I think that Tilly is more feminine and Mattie is more tomboyish, so I prefer Tilly.
How do the two of you feel about Millie? It could work as a compromise (assuming that you both like it).

- rooster

3/6/2011, 4:37 PM

Millie is a great suggestion, I had never even thought of that! Thanks heaps

- Atlanta (joannabonarro) +4

3/6/2011, 2:30 PM

I would change Mattie to Maddy. I think it still works. Also, I've always thought Matilda and Tabitha were a good comnination for twins.

- WCSAngel

3/7/2011, 2:01 PM

My cousins (sisters) are Tabitha and Matilda!!!

- rooster

3/7/2011, 3:08 AM

When i say Mattie it sounds very close to Maddy. It isn't MATT-ee. I.e the 'matt' part isn't emphasised so it sound more like Maddy. I am from NZ so it could be an accent thing

- Alisha (alicehartley4884)

3/7/2011, 2:49 AM

That all depends on your accent. Matilda "Maddy" wouldn't work in Britain or Australia.

- kudriashkajo (jodirae)

3/6/2011, 6:55 PM

Oh no no no, don't change it to Maddy. Mattie's charm is that she is delightfully tomboy-ish and NOT a Madison/Madisyn/Madeleine/Madeline/Madelyn wannabe.

- Alisha (alicehartley4884) +1

3/6/2011, 2:28 PM

I love Matilda with the occasional nickname Mattie. I despise Tilly, to be honest; it's a cat's name to me, whereas Mattie has attitude, but is still incredibly sweet.

- kudriashkajo (jodirae)

3/6/2011, 6:58 PM

Yes, that is exactly what MAttie is like, yes she is!

- meena

3/6/2011, 2:24 PM

If she goes mainly by Matilda and the nickname was to be used as an endearing term every once in a while, I prefer Tilly to Mattie. My parents had a similar tiff with me; my dad wanted to call me Meena but my mother wouldn't allow that for my actual name, so my real name is Amanda but from time to time they call me Meena

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