Meaning: Strength in battle; English pet form of Matilda or Ottilie, from Germanic Mahtildis (maht: strength + hild: battle)High
In 30 seconds: An English pet form of Matilda meaning 'strength in battle,' enjoying a sharp vintage revival alongside Millie, Nellie, and Hattie. The Edwardian freshness of Tillie makes it one of the most appealing grandma-chic choices.
Tillie is an English diminutive of Matilda (Germanic Mahtildis: strength + battle) or Ottilie. Matilda was extremely popular in medieval England and among Victorian royalty. The -illie diminutive was common in 19th-century England.
Tillie peaked in the U.S. in the late 19th–early 20th century and is now reviving. It ranked #1236 for girls in 2024.
Did you know? William the Conqueror's wife was Matilda of Flanders (c.1031–1083) — and their son Henry I's wife was Matilda of Scotland. From these two medieval Matildas, the name Matilda/Tillie spread through the English nobility and became one of medieval England's most common women's names.
Overall data confidence 89%
Behind the Name — Tillie — Germanic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data
Variations
TillyMatildaOttilie
Nicknames
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Famous Bearers
★Tillie Olsen(1912-2007)
American writer associated with second-wave feminist literature
★Tillie Walden(1996-)
American cartoonist and graphic novelist
★Tillie Amartey(2003-)
English actress and television presenter
If you like Tillie…
Millie— two-syllable -ie ending vintage name in the same revival wave
Nellie— two-syllable -ie ending vintage name from the same era
Hattie— two-syllable -ie ending vintage name enjoying the same revival
Billie— two-syllable -ie ending vintage name in the same tradition
Sadie— two-syllable vintage pet form in the same charming category
