Midred Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MIL-dred //ˈmɪl.drəd//
Origin: Old English; German
Meaning: Old English: strength; German: brave strength
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mildred has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "milde," meaning "gentle" or "mild," and "þryð," which translates to "strength" or "power." This combination suggests a meaning akin to "gentle strength." The name was recorded in various forms, including the Old English "Mildthryth," before evolving into the more recognizable Mildred in Middle English. The transition into modern English occurred through the influence of Norman French after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which brought many Old English names into a more standardized form.
Historically, Mildred is associated with Saint Mildred of Thanet, a 7th-century abbess and daughter of King Merewald of Kent. She is venerated in both the Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions, and her life and works contributed to the spread of Christianity in England.
The earliest records of her existence appear in hagiographies from the late 7th century, and her feast day is celebrated on July 13. The name gained further prominence through the writings of Bede, a notable 8th-century historian, who included her in his ecclesiastical history of England.
Culturally, the name Mildred has been associated with qualities of kindness and resilience, reflecting its etymological roots. It has appeared in various literary works and has been used in different forms, such as Milly, which serves as a diminutive.
The name's enduring presence in English-speaking cultures can be attributed to its historical significance and the positive attributes it embodies, making it a name of both personal and cultural resonance.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Midred, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Midred. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Midred was first seen in the United States in 1915.
Midred has ranked as high as #862 nationally, which occurred in 1919, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Midred has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Midred is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Midred was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Midred
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Midred.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1921 | 6 |
| 1919 | 7 |
| 1915 | 5 |