Tillie

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

Girl's name · #1261 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Tillie has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #147 (1884) · 15,738 babies named Tillie all-time · 1 in 9,100 girls born in 2025.

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.

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