Mildred Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MIL-drid //ˈmɪl.drɪd//
Origin: Old English; German
Meaning: Old English: strength in battle; German: gentle strength
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mildred has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "milde," meaning "mild" or "gentle," and "þryð," which translates to "strength" or "power." This combination suggests a meaning akin to "gentle strength." The name was recorded in its earliest forms as "Mildrith" in the 7th century, which later evolved into Mildred. The name entered the English lexicon through the influence of the Anglo-Saxon culture and was further popularized by the veneration of Saint Mildred, a 7th-century abbess of Minster in Kent, who was the daughter of King Merewald and is celebrated for her piety and leadership in the early Christian church in England.
Saint Mildred's life and legacy contributed significantly to the name's historical resonance. She was canonized in the early medieval period, and her feast day is observed on July 13.
The name Mildred appeared in various forms in early medieval texts, including the Venerable Bede's writings, which chronicled the lives of saints and the spread of Christianity in England. The name gained further traction through its association with noble families and was recorded in various forms in the Domesday Book of 1086, reflecting its usage in the Anglo-Norman period.
Culturally, Mildred has been associated with qualities of kindness and resilience, embodying the duality of gentleness and strength. The name's endurance through centuries can be attributed to its connection with revered figures and its representation of virtuous characteristics.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as Millie have emerged, reflecting a softer, affectionate version of the name while maintaining its historical roots. Overall, Mildred's etymological journey and its ties to significant historical figures underscore its lasting significance in English-speaking cultures.
Famous people named Mildred
In this section, you will find notable people named Mildred. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Mildred who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Mildred who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Mildred Bailey was a jazz singer best known for her work with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, her solo recordings, and her influence on the swing era.
Mildred Loving was a civil rights activist best known for her role in the landmark Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia.
Mildred D. Taylor is an author best known for her novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, and her contributions to children's literature.
Fictional characters named Mildred
The following list of fictional characters named Mildred is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Mildred Ratched is a fictional character from the novel and film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. She is the head nurse at a mental institution, known for her authoritarian control and manipulation of patients.
Mildred Hayes is a fictional character from the film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. She is a grieving mother who challenges local authorities to solve her daughter's murder, sparking a community-wide conflict.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mildred, 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 Mildred. 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 Mildred was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Mildred has ranked as high as #14 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Mildred has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Mildred 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 Mildred was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Mildred.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 98 | 0 | 98 |
| 2024 | 92 | 0 | 92 |
| 2023 | 109 | 0 | 109 |
| 2022 | 108 | 0 | 108 |
| 2021 | 102 | 0 | 102 |
| 2020 | 96 | 0 | 96 |
| 2019 | 77 | 0 | 77 |
| 2018 | 93 | 0 | 93 |
| 2017 | 83 | 0 | 83 |
| 2016 | 79 | 0 | 79 |
| 2015 | 88 | 0 | 88 |
| 2014 | 82 | 0 | 82 |
| 2013 | 74 | 0 | 74 |
| 2012 | 64 | 0 | 64 |
| 2011 | 70 | 0 | 70 |
| 2010 | 69 | 0 | 69 |
| 2009 | 69 | 0 | 69 |
| 2008 | 87 | 0 | 87 |
| 2007 | 93 | 0 | 93 |
| 2006 | 76 | 0 | 76 |
| 2005 | 73 | 0 | 73 |
| 2004 | 80 | 0 | 80 |
| 2003 | 90 | 0 | 90 |
| 2002 | 83 | 0 | 83 |
| 2001 | 75 | 0 | 75 |
| 2000 | 81 | 0 | 81 |
| 1999 | 63 | 0 | 63 |
| 1998 | 80 | 0 | 80 |
| 1997 | 70 | 0 | 70 |
| 1996 | 79 | 0 | 79 |
| 1995 | 84 | 0 | 84 |
| 1994 | 77 | 0 | 77 |
| 1993 | 89 | 0 | 89 |
| 1992 | 101 | 0 | 101 |
| 1991 | 122 | 0 | 122 |
| 1990 | 109 | 0 | 109 |
| 1989 | 127 | 0 | 127 |
| 1988 | 123 | 0 | 123 |
| 1987 | 116 | 0 | 116 |
| 1986 | 128 | 0 | 128 |
| 1985 | 107 | 0 | 107 |
| 1984 | 150 | 0 | 150 |
| 1983 | 138 | 0 | 138 |
| 1982 | 175 | 0 | 175 |
| 1981 | 155 | 0 | 155 |
| 1980 | 159 | 0 | 159 |
| 1979 | 160 | 0 | 160 |
| 1978 | 179 | 0 | 179 |
| 1977 | 204 | 0 | 204 |
| 1976 | 239 | 0 | 239 |
| 1975 | 256 | 0 | 256 |
| 1974 | 300 | 0 | 300 |
| 1973 | 311 | 0 | 311 |
| 1972 | 339 | 0 | 339 |
| 1971 | 388 | 0 | 388 |
| 1970 | 489 | 7 | 482 |
| 1969 | 456 | 5 | 451 |
| 1968 | 476 | 0 | 476 |
| 1967 | 570 | 0 | 570 |
| 1966 | 660 | 0 | 660 |
| 1965 | 749 | 0 | 749 |
| 1964 | 846 | 0 | 846 |
| 1963 | 902 | 0 | 902 |
| 1962 | 965 | 0 | 965 |
| 1961 | 995 | 0 | 995 |
| 1960 | 1,088 | 7 | 1,081 |
| 1959 | 1,266 | 0 | 1,266 |
| 1958 | 1,317 | 5 | 1,312 |
| 1957 | 1,414 | 5 | 1,409 |
| 1956 | 1,644 | 8 | 1,636 |
| 1955 | 1,652 | 10 | 1,642 |
| 1954 | 1,840 | 5 | 1,835 |
| 1953 | 1,942 | 0 | 1,942 |
| 1952 | 2,057 | 6 | 2,051 |
| 1951 | 2,190 | 6 | 2,184 |
| 1950 | 2,301 | 5 | 2,296 |
| 1949 | 2,643 | 8 | 2,635 |
| 1948 | 2,763 | 7 | 2,756 |
| 1947 | 3,127 | 9 | 3,118 |
| 1946 | 3,079 | 13 | 3,066 |
| 1945 | 2,968 | 8 | 2,960 |
| 1944 | 3,333 | 15 | 3,318 |
| 1943 | 3,640 | 14 | 3,626 |
| 1942 | 3,820 | 12 | 3,808 |
| 1941 | 3,869 | 23 | 3,846 |
| 1940 | 3,970 | 32 | 3,938 |
| 1939 | 4,157 | 20 | 4,137 |
| 1938 | 4,478 | 37 | 4,441 |
| 1937 | 4,666 | 20 | 4,646 |
| 1936 | 5,087 | 36 | 5,051 |
| 1935 | 5,578 | 32 | 5,546 |
| 1934 | 6,214 | 34 | 6,180 |
| 1933 | 6,612 | 43 | 6,569 |
| 1932 | 7,686 | 43 | 7,643 |
| 1931 | 8,218 | 49 | 8,169 |
| 1930 | 9,393 | 37 | 9,356 |
| 1929 | 10,307 | 52 | 10,255 |
| 1928 | 11,705 | 52 | 11,653 |
| 1927 | 13,103 | 50 | 13,053 |
| 1926 | 13,599 | 52 | 13,547 |
| 1925 | 14,498 | 45 | 14,453 |
| 1924 | 15,897 | 44 | 15,853 |
| 1923 | 16,040 | 51 | 15,989 |
| 1922 | 16,454 | 42 | 16,412 |
| 1921 | 17,922 | 42 | 17,880 |
| 1920 | 18,099 | 39 | 18,060 |
| 1919 | 17,344 | 44 | 17,300 |
| 1918 | 17,300 | 42 | 17,258 |
| 1917 | 16,302 | 46 | 16,256 |
| 1916 | 15,677 | 44 | 15,633 |
| 1915 | 15,292 | 38 | 15,254 |
| 1914 | 11,686 | 37 | 11,649 |
| 1913 | 9,952 | 31 | 9,921 |
| 1912 | 8,786 | 22 | 8,764 |
| 1911 | 6,298 | 27 | 6,271 |
| 1910 | 5,710 | 18 | 5,692 |
| 1909 | 5,073 | 19 | 5,054 |
| 1908 | 4,644 | 20 | 4,624 |
| 1907 | 4,291 | 14 | 4,277 |
| 1906 | 3,887 | 14 | 3,873 |
| 1905 | 3,775 | 17 | 3,758 |
| 1904 | 3,538 | 13 | 3,525 |
| 1903 | 3,109 | 21 | 3,088 |
| 1902 | 2,764 | 14 | 2,750 |
| 1901 | 2,431 | 7 | 2,424 |
| 1900 | 2,813 | 13 | 2,800 |
| 1899 | 2,297 | 6 | 2,291 |
| 1898 | 2,109 | 8 | 2,101 |
| 1897 | 1,729 | 6 | 1,723 |
| 1896 | 1,629 | 9 | 1,620 |
| 1895 | 1,480 | 6 | 1,474 |
| 1894 | 1,226 | 6 | 1,220 |
| 1893 | 1,008 | 0 | 1,008 |
| 1892 | 959 | 0 | 959 |
| 1891 | 761 | 0 | 761 |
| 1890 | 641 | 6 | 635 |
| 1889 | 630 | 5 | 625 |
| 1888 | 499 | 0 | 499 |
| 1887 | 373 | 0 | 373 |
| 1886 | 289 | 0 | 289 |
| 1885 | 245 | 0 | 245 |
| 1884 | 247 | 0 | 247 |
| 1883 | 183 | 0 | 183 |
| 1882 | 172 | 0 | 172 |
| 1881 | 154 | 0 | 154 |
| 1880 | 132 | 0 | 132 |
Top States for Mildred (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| PA | 8 | |
| TX | 8 | |
| CA | 7 | |
| NY | 5 | |
| MI | 5 | |
| AL | 5 | |
| MO | 5 |