Tillie

“Variant of Matilda — Might, strength in battle” — Germanic origin

Girl's name · #1269 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Tillie was #148 in 1884, slipped to #11700 by 1994, and has climbed back to #1269 today. About 16,000 girls have carried it since 1880. Together with its spelling variant Tilly (#885), Tillie would rank around #610 with about 480 births last year — the newborns split about 63/37 between Tilly and Tillie.

Around the world: about 1 in 1,500 girls in N. Ireland (2025) · about 1 in 1,500 girls in Scotland (2025) · about 1 in 3,600 girls in England & Wales (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 19 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Tillies

Tillie Olsen — American writer (1912–2007)
Tillie Martinussen — Danish politician
Tillie K. Fowler — American congresswoman (1942–2005)
Tillie Walden — American cartoonist
Tillie Anderson — cyclist (1875-1965)

In stories & tradition

Tillie Lagerlof — Pollyanna

What Tillies become

Among 23 notable people named Tillie:

No single standout — notable Tillies spread across many fields.

Similar names: Tilly · Wilhelmina · Tyla · Milly · Nell · Ollie

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service