I recently told my mother that I loved this name and she responded with “That is absolutely hideous. Sounds like an old grouchy lady!”
My heart is broken over this!
I know [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is a pretty lovable name on nameberry, but does the love continue into the real world? Or would everyone else agree with my mother?
I know others like it. It’s not a fav for me. Sorry. I don’t love the sound. It’s not terrible but it’s just not my cup of tea. But I do like the nn of [name_f]Tillie[/name_f]. That being said, I found that it wasn’t helpful to share names with my mom. When I told her we liked the name [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], she told me everyone would think of the serial killer [name_m]Ted[/name_m] Bundy. She prefers names like [name_m]John[/name_m] or [name_f]Mary[/name_f] so we weren’t going to agree. [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is a legit name and if you love it, then use it. It’s way better than all of the Jadens that people “in the real world” like.
I think [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is very pretty, and I have an aunt [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], but neither she nor my grandma like it. Aunt [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]'s gone by [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] for years, and when my grandma says her real name, she makes a face.
Maybe it’s a generational thing, but I think [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is lovely.
I love [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], I don’t think it is an ugly name at all! I would never think of a grouchy old lady, my first thought is the awesome [name_m]Roald[/name_m] Dahl character.
I don’t think it’s beautiful or pretty, but it’s not ugly either. I think it’s ok and I think much more conventional with the nickname [name_u]Mattie[/name_u]. The point of a formal name could be options.
I kind of understand why your mom thought that, part of the problem is the names to sound old to one generation sound fresh to a younger generation or group of people. When a friend of my mother had a baby boy in 1981, she named him [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m]. My mom thought it was a total old man name, then another friend named her son [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m]. [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] was #32 on the popularity charts and has risen ever since. Now my mom wonders how she could have seen it as old man, but it was to her. She feels that [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f] is/was hopelessly outdated but a few people she knows have chosen it now. She can’t believe its popular now.
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] was not popular in the USA when you were born. It fell off the top 1000 in 1964, but it came back in 2008 and is currently #657 and rising. If your mom has friends who have babies she could hear it on a birth announcement soon. A cousin plans to use it for her first born daughter.
Good [name_m]Luck[/name_m]!
No, it’s pretty. 
I know one [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] (but with [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] spelling, I think) everyone likes her name.
I think [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is gorgeous! Her sounds are a little clunky or quirky, which may be contributing to your Mum’s reaction (along with the generational differences!). But it’s a fun and easy name to say - I love it’s rhythm! [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is super popular here in Australia and it sounds like it’s taking off in the US. Your Mum will get used to it, and a future child’s peers and their parents won’t see anything ugly or strange in it.
[name_m]Even[/name_m] though, [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is not a name I personally like, I definitely don’t think it is ugly. And I could see it coming back. So if you love it use it.
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is very popular in Australia, I doubt that anyone here would glance sideways at it or call it ugly.
Thanks everyone! [name_m]Reading[/name_m] all the different opinions is always super helpful.
My mother and I generally always disagree on names, but she hasn’t pulled the ugly card until I brought up [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]. I’m glad to know its not widely disliked!
Talking names with an older generation is always challenging. I love some of her aunt’s and uncle’s names while she sees them as dusty and old. It’s challenging finding a name we both like!
I’ve always found it very old and a little fusty. But like others have said, it still beats [name_u]Jayden[/name_u] and all the trendy names by a landslide. And I love [name_f]Tilly[/name_f]! So I wouldn’t be upset to meet a little [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], I’d be impressed.
I’m sorry, but I agree with your mother (and I’m in my early 30s for reference on the generational thing). It’s a popular name here, but I just don’t like the sound or the look of it. Reminds me of a grouchy old lady as well, like a fairy tale witch or something. That said, I met a little [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] a few years ago and she was adorable.
It is absolutely beautiful but I’m also biased as this is my little sisters name (we use Tilda as a nn).
It fits her perfectly. She’s bubbly (most of the time), spunky, open, very smart and such a lovely, sweet little girl (she’s in kindergarten still).
It’s been getting some love around here lately and you hear it oftener but it doesn’t loose any of it’s beauty.
I would not personally use [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] but it is definitely not an ugly name. I also think the nicknames of [name_f]Tilda[/name_f], [name_m]Till[/name_m], [name_f]Tilly[/name_f], and [name_f]Milly[/name_f] are all adorable.
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is lovely. She’s my number one currently.
I had the same negative reaction when I slipped and told my mother we were considering [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] last year. She got all huffy and actually told me, “I can’t believe you’d name my grandchild that.” As soon as I told her we were also thinking of the middle name [name_f]Kate[/name_f] to honor her she changed her tune. [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] became the most beautiful name in the world to her.
Anyway, [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is great. If we all named our children things our parents approved or found to be beautiful prior to meeting their grandchild this would be a dull world.
I adore the name [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]! But I think your mom’s reaction might be fairly common. We strongly considered it for our second daughter and it seemed generally people were not crazy about it. I have a totally dif image of the name though, to me it’s a sweet little girl’s name…not a grouchy old lady. It certainly seems to have gained a lot of popularity so I think if you love it, use it! My dad had particularly strong reaction to it. For him, it was just a mean old lady name. Maybe it’s a generation thing! I always picture [name_m]Heath[/name_m] Ledger’s adorable, blond little girl!
I find this name beautiful and not old-ladish at all.
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is lovely, not ugly at all.
I thought so a long time ago, but I’ve grown into liking it. Now I think [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is a great name, especially with nicknames [name_f]Tilda[/name_f] or [name_f]Tilly[/name_f]. [name_f]Milly[/name_f] though, not so much.
I know so many little Matildas, it’s weird hearing it criticized with such outrage haha!
I personally like it a lot, but I think [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f]/[name_f]Mathilde[/name_f] looks a lot softer. I love [name_f]Tilda[/name_f] on it’s own as well.