Straightforward and strong Maud peaked in the late nineteenth century. Could that make it overdue for a comeback?
Thanks to Lola for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
MATILDA’S MEDIEVAL COUSIN
Matilda comes from the Germanic Mathildis – maht, or might, and hild, or battle. That’s a fierce and powerful name.
In the tenth century, Mathilda of Ringelheim became a queen, and later a saint.
More royals followed. Matilda of Flanders descended from King Alfred the Great of England. She married William the Conqueror, and returned to the land of her great-great-great-great-grandmother to reign as queen.
No surprise that Matilda became one of the many Norman names adopted in England.
But, like many a Norman name, it evolved in England.
Mahald or Mahaut served as informal versions of the name. Shorten either one just a little, and you’ll eventually arrive at Maud.
For centuries, the two names were interchangeable.
QUEEN MAUD
More royals followed, in England and elsewhere.
William’s last surviving granddaughter was called Maude. While still a child, she married the future Holy Roman Emperor. More titles followed, including Queen of Italy, but she was known as Empress Maude. After a succession crisis in England, her son would claim the throne as King Henry II.
Henry named his eldest Matilda – or Maud.
The pattern repeats for many women over the centuries, with both names used depending on the circumstances.
TENNYSON’S MAUD
The name might’ve faded into obscurity with Godelieve and Griselda and so many other medieval choices.
Then came Alfred, Lord Tennyson. He penned an 1885 poem called “Maud,” a romantic tale ending in heartbreak. It’s the kind of thing that can make a name appeal to parents. He wasn’t the first; Christina Rossetti wrote an 1859 poem named “Maude Clare,” but it’s not one of her best known works.
Though it appears the name was in the midst of a revival when Tennyson embraced the name. Maud peaked at #68 in 1883 in the US, while Maude reached as high as #20 in 1882.
One more literary note: 1874-born Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables and many more beloved works, was known by her middle name.
TWENTIETH CENTURY MAUDS
In the US, Maude remained in the Top 100 until 1905, and left the rankings after 1950. Maud departed entirely after 1933.
The final ‘e’ feels consistent with feminine names from Claire to Brooke to Sloane, so perhaps that explains the success of Maude over Maud.
Pop culture has given us more of the -e ending ones, too, at least in the twentieth century:
- There’s the spirited, vivacious – and 79 years young – Maude of enduring 1971 dark comedy Harold and Maude. In this case, Maude is short for Marjorie.
- Bea Arthur played the title character on Maude, a CBS sitcom spin-off of the wildly successful All in the Family. Her character was an outspoken activist who eventually served in Congress. The show ran for six seasons from 1972 to 1978.
- In 1984, Amy Irving played one of Dudley Moore’s two wives in 1984 comedy film Micki & Maude.
- Julianne Moore played Maude in 1998’s comedy The Big Lebowski.
READY FOR REVIVAL?
A handful of stylish parents have embraced the name for daughters. Gabrielle Blair, the blogger behind Design Mom, has a Maude. Director Judd Apatow and actor Leslie Mann are also parents to a Maude, who started out acting in her father’s films and has graduated to a career of her own.
As of 2018, just five girls were named Maud, plus an additional 25 spelled with the ‘e’. That marks the most Maudes born since the 1960s.
That’s still far too few births to call it a comeback, but it might signal an opportunity. If you’re all about undiscovered vintage gems, maybe this is the name for you.
Do you think Maud is due for a comeback? Do you prefer Maud or Maude – or maybe Matilda?
Originally published on March 1, 2009, this post was revised substantially and re-posted on September 29, 2014 and again on February 2, 2020.
I’ve had Matilda on my list for several years now, and I think nn Maud may be just the shot in the arm that it needs. With Matilda supposedly taking off right about now, Maud may be the key to setting it apart. The historical connection especially pleases me and also the fact that Maud sounds much nicer in the hypothetical sibset I have rolling around in my head. I don’t care for it enough as a stand alone but applaud Lola for her bold and distinctive taste.
I love the way that Sophie describes Maud: ‘she enfolds femininity, sweetness and strength in one little syllable’ , that balanced mixture is the key ingredient I always search for in girls names, well perhaps not the one syllable bit, but the rest…
Yet, whilst Maud is undeniably all those things, I am inclined to agree with Emmy Jo – I’m just not that into her. I too, can see what draws Lola to her, but just can’t quite get there myself. Perhaps it’s her Maudlin connotations or her slightly ‘mouldy’ sound – does anyone else get that? I think it’s the long ‘au’ sound. Either way, I want to love Medieval Maud but for whatever reason, can’t.
Matilda, a hipsters name, even in the US?! Oh man – I got the surprise of my life a few weeks ago when I found that Matilda was #13 for my state (Victoria, Australia). When my husband and I chose the name for our daughter – early to mid 2004 – the name was barely scraping into the top 100. I don’t know about our nation-wide stats though. She’s a bit lower all-round, I think. Victoria’s fairly cool, really – Alice and Stella charted in the 40s and Zara at #26 – I was astounded!
ANYWAY, to the point! I like Maud – her simplicity is awesome, as she enfolds femininity, sweetness and strength into one little syllable, though she seems a little stuffy to me. I’d love to see her on someone else’s child, but I personally prefer Maeve immensely! She has more of that floaty feminine vibe I rather like.
It immediately makes me think of Lucy Maud Montgomery of Anne of Green Gables fame. She apparently went by Maud most of the time, not Lucy. I’m not sure I could see myself using it as a first name, but put it in the middle and it could work.
Love it! (Almost completely because of you, Lola! I’d never even thought about it before, then read it on your blog, and started to love it!) Right now I’m infatuated with Annora Maud or maybe Beatrix Annora Maud. I had no clue about the connection between Maud and Matilda!
I love Maud and Maude! I came across a director on IMDB, Judd Apatow (work includes Knocked Up and Superbad), who has two young daughters named Maud and Iris. Such refreshing choices in Hollywood, methinks!
I’m with Allison on this one. Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s good.
Sorry, Lola. I can completely see why you love it, but I’m just not a fan. I love Maud India Scarlett, but I’m not a fan of Maud on its own.
Gwyneth Paltrow played a professor of Victorian literature named Maud in the movie “Possession.” If not even the beautiful Gwyneth can make me come around to this name, I’m not sure I ever will.
It’s so medieval, though, that I really *should* like it, shouldn’t I?
She’s tops for me! Not only does she honor family, but I love that crisp, tailored sound. Her color’s delightfully purple and I love the possibility of not only Maudie but Mim (Maud India MacK)!
I love the sinplicity of Maud, am not thrilled by the final ‘e’ but can deal with ot on someone else’s kid. Maud’s honey sweet but there’s steel under that satin. I love Maud.
And then there’s Maude! Bea Arthur and “maudlin” are the only two associations I get from this name. I don’t think Maud could ever be more than dowdy and clunky for me.