"gentle strength, mild power"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Mildred
Pronunciation: [ m-IHLDR-ihd ]
Does Mildred flow with your last name?
Grandma chic at its most delightfully vintage
English
American
Vintage
Classic
Sophisticated
Literary
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Mildred
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Mildred
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Mildred
See all →What the Mildred report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Mildred the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Mildred
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Mildred head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Mildred actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Mildred
Mildred comes from the Old English 'Mildþryð', composed of 'mild' (gentle, mild) and 'þryð' (power, strength), meaning 'gentle strength' or 'mild power'. Saint Mildred of Thanet was a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon abbess and daughter of a Kentish king, helping establish the name in early medieval England. It remained common through the Victorian era before declining sharply in the mid-20th century as it became associated with older generations.
Mildred peaked in the US around 1920-1930, ranking as high as #4 nationally. It then fell steadily for decades. Today it's being rediscovered by parents pursuing maximally vintage names, and the adorable nickname Millie has given it fresh appeal for a new generation.
In American culture, Mildred Pierce — the James M. Cain novel and its 1945 Joan Crawford film — gave the name a powerful, ambitious archetype. The 2011 HBO miniseries starring Kate Winslet revived cultural interest in the name.
Historical Record
Mildred first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 32,469 babies have been named Mildred in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mildred is past its peak , currently ranked #2,096 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Mildred Pierce won Joan Crawford the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1946
- Saint Mildred of Thanet (c. 700 AD) was an Anglo-Saxon abbess whose relics were kept at Canterbury Cathedral for centuries
Mildred in Other Languages
French
Mildred
German
Mildred
Spanish
Mildred
Popularity Over Time
#2,096
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mildred
M
Mildred Natwick
Actor
1905
American actress nominated for an Academy Award for Barefoot in the Park (1967)
M
Mildred Pierce Fictional
Other
Protagonist of James M. Cain's 1941 novel, an ambitious woman who builds a restaurant empire; played by Joan Crawford in...
Protagonist of James M. Cain's 1941 novel, an ambitious woman who builds a restaurant empire; played by Joan Crawford in the 1945 film
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Rhylee
Girl
"lively, vigorous"
#2,026
Therese
Girl
"from the island of Thera"
#2,221
Saraya
Girl
"princess"
#2,049
Caliana
Girl
"beautiful"
#2,061
Armoni
Girl
"harmony"
#2,105
Compare Mildred with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,096
- Total SSA Count
- 91
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Millie
Milly
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mildred
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Mildred fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Mildred is also used as a boy name, ranked #14050.
View Mildred as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Mildred →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Mildred with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Mildred
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Mildred and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Mildred sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Rhylee
Girl
Old Irish via English origin
"lively, vigorous"
#2,026 in US
Therese
Girl
Greek origin
"from the island of Thera"
#2,221 in US
Saraya
Girl
Hebrew origin
"princess"
#2,049 in US
Caliana
Girl
Greek origin
"beautiful"
#2,061 in US
Armoni
Girl
Latin origin
"harmony"
#2,105 in US
Caia
Girl
Greek origin
"earth, land"
#2,139 in US
Briley
Girl
Irish origin
"descendant of Raghallach"
#1,960 in US
Rosanna
Girl
Latin and Hebrew compound origin
"gracious rose"
#2,251 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Mildred's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mildred
What does the name Mildred mean?
"gentle strength, mild power" (from Old English). Mildred comes from the Old English 'Mildþryð', composed of 'mild' (gentle, mild) and 'þryð' (power, strength), meaning 'gentle strength' or 'mild power'. Saint Mildred of Thanet was a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon abbess and daughter of a Kentish king, helping establish the name in early medieval England. It remained common through the Victorian era before declining sharply in the mid-20th century as it became associated with older generations.
What is the origin of the name Mildred?
Mildred has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "gentle strength, mild power".
Is Mildred a boy or girl name?
Mildred is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2096. As a boy name, it is ranked #14050. Mildred is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Mildred?
Mildred is pronounced m-IHLDR-ihd.
How popular is the name Mildred?
Mildred is currently ranked #2096 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Mildred?
Common nicknames for Mildred include Millie and Milly.
What are good middle names for Mildred?
Popular middle name pairings include Mildred Anne, Mildred Jean, Mildred Louise, Mildred Frances, Mildred Ruth, and Mildred Irene.
What are good sibling names for Mildred?
Names that pair well with Mildred as siblings include Ethel, Gertrude, Dorothy, Herbert, Clarence, and Eunice.
How many syllables does Mildred have?
Mildred has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Mildred a common or rare name?
Mildred is an uncommon name, ranked #2096 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Mildred
Mildred is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "gentle strength, mild power" in Old English .
Is Mildred a boy or girl name? Mildred is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,096 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #14,050. Mildred is more commonly used as a girl name.
Mildred is currently ranked #2,096 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Mildred has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-IHLDR-ihd, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Mildred include Millie and Milly. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
M
Names Starting with M
More girl names like Mildred
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis