Australian TV presenter David Koch becomes grandfather

Australian TV presenter for Sunrise, David ‘Kochie’ Koch, became a grandfather for the first time when his daughter, Samantha Brown, 27, and husband, Toby Brown, welcomed a daughter. The little girl arrived at 5.50pm Saturday (AEST) and has been named Matilda Jane. Kochie learnt of the birth when he was greeted with a phone call from Samantha, saing "hello Granddad."

Shannon’s note: Matilda seems to be an increasingly popular name in Australia. Many people believe that the song Waltzing Matilda by Banjo Patterson should be Australia’s national anthem. After Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams named their daughter Matilda, I have met several baby girls with this name. What do you think of the name?

Source: Daily Telegraph

Comments

I think that the name Matilda is a gorgeous name! very symbolic to Australia and also the Roald dahl books.

- Lulu on October 3rd, 2007

I have always loved the name! It is kinda old fashioned but sweet. And oh my, did I go on my parents’ nerves by constantly singing that song as a kid….

- Anna on October 3rd, 2007

I love the name Matilda ~ so glad it’s making a comeback. Matilda was my Oma’s name and we called her Oma Tilly. My sister has dibs on the name for her future girl otherwise I would have used it!

- Natalie on October 3rd, 2007

I love the name Matilda. It’s unique and classic all at the same time.

- Heather on October 3rd, 2007

I wouldn’t personally use it, but I do like it. It reminds me of the Roald Dahl book by the same name that I read as a child. I bet parents who name their DDs Matilda get lots of copies of the book! That being said, I much prefer Matilda to the more popular Madison, Madeline, and McKenzie.
PS CBB- I like how you guys are directing the comments in one way or another and how the nasty comments are being excluded from being posted. Keep up the good work CBB!

- SavvyMama on October 3rd, 2007

I’ve never been a huge fan of the name, as it is not my style. There is a girl on my daughter’s soccer team named Matilda, and they call her Tilly. I love the nickname.

- Dana on October 3rd, 2007

I love the name, but I couldn’t use it for a daughter.. so instead, I named my beloved cat Matilda.. we call her tilly and tillamook cheddar.. ha.

- Taylor on October 3rd, 2007

Hi
Just have to comment on this one.I love the name. It was the only name my hubby & I ever considered for a girl. It feels uniquely Australian..:-)) our 4 yr old daughter is Matilda rose katherine….she loves her name:-))
I do believe it is becoming increasing popular here. I love that it embraced with pride now.

- tracie on October 3rd, 2007

i ABSOLUTELY love the name!!! my step daughter is 5 and my husband and his ex picked the name Matilda because they wanted it to deal with his Spanish heritage. I dont know if its Spanish but it’s such an adorable name and we call her Mat or Mattie for short.

- melanie on October 3rd, 2007

I think Matilda and Tilly are both cute. I wouldn’t use them though because I have others picked out.

I do want to have my two cents about having Waltzing Matilda as a national anthem – I think that’s a dumb idea. It’s a story about a guy who steals a sheep and then gets busted by the “cops”. Instead of surrendering he jumps into the water and dies. Hmmm, how patriotic!

We’re still fighting the convict/criminal tag and only really just got rid of God Save the Queen (in the 70s). Only 28.3% voted for Waltzing Matilda when the National Anthem was selected. Don’t get me wrong, I like the song, but it’s hardly the sort of thing I want playing when we win medals at the Olympics or during the dawn service on ANZAC day.

- Lilybett on October 3rd, 2007

im not a waltzing matilda fan-i wish our anthem was “i still call Australia home”. much more relevant today i love it. as for matilda as a name, i prob wouldn’t use it but if i knew anyone with it,i’d prob call em mattie all the time lol. i love nicknames.

- ang on October 3rd, 2007

I like the name Matilda. Roald Dahl’s Matilda was wonderful. I generally like names that are known as a character or have SLIGHT camp appeal. (I mean slight, I don’t like hokey names)

- poppy on October 4th, 2007

Hmm, I have to say I don’t think that Walzing Matilda is a popular song for the national althem – It didn’t get chosen when there was a referedumn on it. And I personally don’t think it’s a great song for that kind of thing.

Love the name though! Very cool, classic name.

- Aura on October 4th, 2007

I’m Italian and, if I’m pregnant with a girl, I’ll choose the name MatildE.
But Matilda is very nice, too.

- Lita on October 4th, 2007

My husband and I are Americans living in Australia and when our baby girl was born a month ago, Matilda was the natural choice for us! We named her Matilda Bloomer – Bloomer was my grandmother’s maiden name. When I was completing Matilda’s birth certificate paperwork my mother said “Are you sure you want her to go through life with that name?” LOL I think it’s cute, but it definitely seems to be a love-it or hate-it name!

- megan on October 4th, 2007

I asbolutely like Matilda which, reminds me of the book written by Roald Dohls.
It’s on my list along with other considered girl names.

- Laura on October 4th, 2007

Being Australian I love the name Matilda, its unique and Aussie. And when it comes to true Aussie boys names you cant go past Ned or Lawson, lol.

- Audrey on October 5th, 2007

I think Matilda is a stylish name because there is a character Matilda Hunter on Home and Away who is played by Indiana Evans.

- Komal on March 26th, 2008

Not sure if you’ll let me post links, but here’s some great versions of Waltzing Matilda on youtube for those uninitiated

Here’s some explanation of the song, and a more lighthearted version (I think by Rolf Harris)

Here’s the Aussiest version you’ll ever hear by John Williamson, a fave of mine

A great, soulful one at a tennis game by Tina Arena

I don’t think it should necessarily be our anthem, but I do love it!!!

- Katie on March 26th, 2008

Love the name! I’ve always loved it.It just rolls off the tongue. If i have a daughter thats what i’ll call her.

- Caroline on March 27th, 2008