Maud

Maud is a feminine given name of Germanic origin, derived from Matilda, with elements meaning “might” or “strength” and “battle.” Through the Middle Ages it entered the British Isles and has remained in use in various forms, including Maud and Matilda. The name has also appeared as a surname in some English-speaking contexts.

In literature and culture, Maud is the title of Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s 1855 narrative poem Maud, which explores themes of love, vengeance, and social conflict. The name has been associated with several public figures in poetry, theater, and film, helping to keep it in circulation in the English-speaking world.

Notable people with the given name include Maud Gonne (1866–1953), an Irish revolutionary, actress, and muse of W. B. Yeats; Maud Adams (born 1945), a Swedish-born actress known for stage work and film; and Maud, Queen of Norway (1869–1938), born Princess Maud of Wales, who became queen consort after Norway’s independence in 1905.

Geographically, Maud is the name of a village and parish in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is also used as a place name in other regions. In the history of exploration, Maud is the name of a polar exploration ship used by Roald Amundsen in the early 20th century for Arctic travel.