Matilda vs Minerva

[kathrynsarah]

First off, I want to say that I'm just trying to solidify my name lists, not ttc. I've been having an internal debate of Matilda vs. Minerva. (My number one favorite girl name at the moment is Phoebe, so Matilda or Minerva would be the hypothetical name of my second daughter, if I even have daughters, and if my SO agrees to any of these names)! That being said, I love both names equally at the moment, but could never use both because they are very similar. I love both literary associations equally (Matilda after the Roald Dahl character, which I have loved since childhood, and Minerva after none other than Minerva McGonagall--in case you didn't know, I'm obsessed with Harry Potter). Without saying anything negative about either name or its literary association, which one do you like better, and why?

My number one concern for both names is that they seem like "old lady" names to me. That is the same opinion I have of my own name, Kathryn, and I have always gone by Katy (which is the nn my parents gave me anyway) and people close to me also shorten the Katy to Kate from time to time. When I was younger, I absolutely hated my full name, and I still don't love it, but it is growing on me. I sometimes get annoyed with people when they call me Kathryn (unless it's my father, because I can't do anything about that haha). So I'm concerned with having this happen to my own daughter. Would using a different nn work, like my parents did with Katy? Opinions please! I would use Tilly or maybe Matty for Matilda, and Mina and/or Mini for Minerva.

My last issue is: do the names sound too "British"? It is part of the reason that I love the names, but would they go over well in the US?

[agirlinred]

Matilda is the safer choice, while Minerva is certainly more daring. I think both are usable. As for the old lady thing, I wouldn't worry about it. Matilda has been popular since the Middle Ages, so really it is a classic. Today I think Minerva would be seen as cool; it's ancient Greek, it's mythological, it's vintage! There is also the nickname Minnie to help make it more wearable.

To answer the Matilda vs Minerva question, I vote Matilda. Why? I prefer Matilda's long, steady history and strong family associations, along with her more timid spunk.

[kathrynsarah]

Thank you for making me feel better about both names, and thanks for your opinion! Since I love both names so much, I will probably use the runner up as a middle name anyway.

[stripedsocks]

Like both well enough but find Minerva a good deal more interesting. I see soooo many Matildas under the age of five, and of them, most seem to be Tillys/Tillies. Minerva is quite underused by comparison without exactly being Xanthippe levels of pretension. Minnie as a nickname brings it back down to earth.

I like the historical weight of Minerva, but I'm a mythology dork.

[svea]

I agree with @agirlinread, Minerva is definitely the more daring choice but also my favourite. Minerva is the Roman goddess of wisdom, and I think that is kind of a cool namesake. Plus nn Minnie is very sweet

[bluejuniper]

I think both can work, but personally prefer Matilda. Just feels warmer and friendlier to me, and good for all ages.

I feel like Minerva is a name a child wouldn't neccessarily like until they were older and could appreciate it properly, if that makes sense

[train_of_thought]

I am so in love with the fact that both of the names you are considering have such great children's literature cred. Maybe they both have a whiff of old lady perfume about them, but they're also adorably quirky, with plenty of lively nicknames. I have never personally met anyone, child or adult, with either name. And is there such a thing as too British?

[dantea]

I don't think they sound too British. I like Matilda and LOVE Minerva. I love the Greek counterpart, Athena much better though.
however, I'd love to see you use it. They sound a little old ladyish, but a cute nickname would spice it up for when she's a kid. Minerva is strong and beautiful and intelligent. I can't see Matilda on a grown woman, which is my problem with it.

I would use nicknames Matilda nn Tilda and Minerva nn Mina

[mischa]

I love mythological names but Minerva isn't one of my favourites. I love Matilda. It has vintage chic with a regal connection.

[cristinamariane]

I love Minerva, although my prefered nn is Minna (min-nuh) not Mina (mee-na), but I love Minnie as well. I like Matilda, but I'd pick Minerva to go with Phoebe because they're both mythological.