Tillie

Tillie is a familiar form of Matilda, whose Germanic elements are traditionally interpreted as “mighty in battle.” It can also be used as a shortening of Ottilie, so the meaning depends on which longer name a family intends. Tillie is also established as a complete given name.

Writer Tillie Olsen and the comic strip Tillie the Toiler give it cultural associations beyond its role as a nickname. Tilly is the closest spelling alternative. Choosing Tillie on its own preserves the short everyday form, while Matilda or Ottilie leaves room for other names within the same family. The two longer options should not be assigned each other’s meanings.