All about the name

Clothilda

Female

« Clothilda is a distinctive German name meaning "people's struggle" or "battle of the people," popular among French royalty, notably Clotilde, who converted Francia to Christianity. »

#47447 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Clothilda is a unique and elegant name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German elements "hild" meaning "battle" or "struggle," and "thiod" meaning "people." Thus, the name Clothilda can be interpreted as "strife of the people." The name Clothilda was popular among the royalty in France during the Middle Ages. One of the most notable figures bearing this name was Clotilde (Clothilda), the wife of King Clovis I of Francia. She played a significant role in converting her husband and their kingdom to Christianity. Her influence led to the establishment of the Merovingian dynasty, which ruled Francia from the 5th to the 8th century. In literature, Clothilda appears as a character in several works. In "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" by Victor Hugo, she is the daughter of King Louis XI and is married to the Count of Dunois. Additionally, there are references to Clothilda in various legends and folktales throughout European history. Today, the name Clothilda remains relatively rare but continues to be admired for its rich historical background and unique sound. It offers a striking choice for parents seeking an uncommon yet meaningful name for their child.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Clothilda since 1880

Total births
16
Total since 1880
Peak year
1923
6 births
in 1957
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years