Mildred

Pronunciation: [ m-IHLDR-ihd ]

Girl Name #2,096 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Grandma chic at its most delightfully vintage

English American

Vintage Classic Sophisticated Literary Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"gentle strength, mild power"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Mildred

Mildred Natwick

Actor

1905

American actress nominated for an Academy Award for Barefoot in the Park (1967)

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

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

Pairs Well With

Mildred Anne Mildred Jean Mildred Louise Mildred Frances Mildred Ruth Mildred Irene

Sibling Names

Ethel Gertrude Dorothy Herbert Clarence Eunice

Also a Boy Name

Mildred is also used as a boy name, ranked #14050.

View Mildred as a boy name →

Similar Names

Minnie Mattie Lillie Elsie Tillie Lilly Lily Polly

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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.