Question: what is the name of the jolly swagman in waltzing matilda

title: Waltzing Matilda
text: Matilda is an old Teutonic female name meaning `` mighty battle maid '' . This may have informed the use of `` Matilda '' as a slang term to mean a de facto wife who accompanied a wanderer . In the Australian bush a man 's swag was regarded as a sleeping partner , hence his `` Matilda '' . ( Letter to Rt . Hon . Sir Winston Churchill , KG from Harry Hastings Pearce , 19 February 1958 . Harry Pearce Papers , NLA Manuscript Collection , MS2765 )