Mills

Pronunciation: [ m-IHLZ ]

Boy Name #2,920 Most Popular Hidden Gem 1 Syllable

A crisp one-syllable surname with quiet distinction

American English Australian

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Meaning & Origin

"dweller by the mills, mill worker"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

The Story of Mills

Mills is an English occupational surname derived from mill, from Old English mylen and Latin molina, referring to a grain mill. As a surname it denoted someone who lived near or worked at a mill, a crucial community fixture in medieval England. The surname-as-given-name trend has made Mills an appealing choice in recent decades.

Mills follows the surge in surname names for boys — Brooks, Hayes, Nash, Wells — that has dominated American naming since the 2000s. It offers the appeal of Miles without being too popular, and the appeal of the outdoorsy nature name trend.

Mills as a surname has notable bearers across American history, from John Stuart Mill (philosophy) to C. Wright Mills (sociology). In naming culture it reads as preppy and northeastern in the US.

Fun Facts

Mills is among a cluster of one-syllable surname names that have risen in popularity including Brooks, Wells, and Hayes
John Stuart Mill is one of history's most influential philosophers, lending intellectual gravitas to the surname
The name sounds similar to Miles, one of the fastest-rising names of the 2010s

Mills in Other Languages

French Mills

English Mills

Spanish Mills

Famous People Named Mills

Hayley Mills

Actor

1946

British actress known for Pollyanna and The Parent Trap

John Stuart Mill

Writer

1806

British philosopher and political economist, one of the most influential thinkers of the 19th century

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #2,920
Total SSA Count: 43
Cultural Origins: American English Australian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Miller #439 Million #3960

Nicknames

Mil Miy Milie

Pairs Well With

Mills James Mills Harrison Mills Bennett Mills Cooper Mills Edward Mills Thomas Mills Lane

Sibling Names

Brooks Hayes Reed Palmer Nash River Sloane

Also a Girl Name

Mills is also used as a girl name, ranked #7415.

View Mills as a girl name →

Similar Names

Silas Milo Elliott Elliot Lyle Miller Collins Ellison

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mills

What does the name Mills mean?

"dweller by the mills, mill worker" (from Old English). Mills is an English occupational surname derived from mill, from Old English mylen and Latin molina, referring to a grain mill. As a surname it denoted someone who lived near or worked at a mill, a crucial community fixture in medieval England. The surname-as-given-name trend has made Mills an appealing choice in recent decades.

What is the origin of the name Mills?

Mills has Old English, American, English, and Australian origins. In Old English, it means "dweller by the mills, mill worker".

Is Mills a boy or girl name?

Mills is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2920. As a girl name, it is ranked #7415. Mills is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Mills?

Mills is pronounced m-IHLZ.

How popular is the name Mills?

Mills is currently ranked #2920 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Mills?

Common nicknames for Mills include Mil, Miy, and Milie.

What are good middle names for Mills?

Popular middle name pairings include Mills James, Mills Harrison, Mills Bennett, Mills Cooper, Mills Edward, Mills Thomas, and Mills Lane.

What are good sibling names for Mills?

Names that pair well with Mills as siblings include Brooks, Hayes, Reed, Palmer, Nash, River, and Sloane.

How many syllables does Mills have?

Mills has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Mills a common or rare name?

Mills is an uncommon name, ranked #2920 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Mills

Mills is a boy name with American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "dweller by the mills, mill worker" in Old English .

Is Mills a boy or girl name? Mills is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,920 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #7,415. Mills is more commonly used as a boy name.

Mills is currently ranked #2,920 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Mills has 1 syllable and is pronounced m-IHLZ, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Mills include Mil, Miy, and Milie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Mills include Miller, Million . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.