Mafalda Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Mafalda has its roots in Old High German, meaning 'strength in battle.' It evolved through various forms, including Mahthildis and Mathilde, before becoming popular in Italian culture. The name is associated with traits of intelligence and charm, particularly due to its connection with a beloved comic strip character. It has no biblical relevance.
The name Mafalda is most popular in Rhode Island, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Mafalda has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast. Across generations, 'Mafalda' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 947th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2345th out of 9204 names. Discover how the name 'Mafalda' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Mafalda"
Pronunciation
/məˈfɑːldə/
Origin
Italian
Etymology
The name Mafalda is derived from the Old High German name 'Mahthildis', which means 'strength' (maht) and 'battle' (hild). Over time, it was adapted into Italian and has been popularized in various cultures.
Meaning
strength in battle
Language Evolution
Mahthildis, Mathilde, Mafalda
Historical Usage
Mafalda gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in Italy and among Spanish-speaking cultures, largely due to the famous comic strip character created by Argentine cartoonist Quino in the 1960s.
Variants & Derivatives
Mathilda, Matilda, Mafaldina
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Mafalda is perceived as a charming and whimsical name, often associated with intelligence and a strong personality due to the character's traits in the comic.
Famous People
Mafalda of Savoy, Queen of Italy, Mafalda, the comic strip character created by Quino
Explore More Mafalda Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Mafalda"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Mafalda"
"Mafalda" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 947th of 9107 | 1,034 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2345th of 9204 | 245 |
Regional Popularity of "Mafalda" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Mafalda" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
93.79% 1328th/1416 |
26.25% 362nd/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
49.23% 766th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Mafalda"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Mafalda" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.