Girl · 6th of 9,107
Mildred
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
452,895
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1920
Peak Popularity Year
18,099
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Mildred stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Mildred has origins in Old English, meaning 'gentle strength'. It evolved from earlier forms such as Mildeard and Mildryth. While it gained popularity in early medieval England due to religious associations, it has since declined in use but is still recognized for its vintage appeal. It has no biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmɪldrɪd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Mildred comes from the Old English elements 'milde' meaning 'mild' or 'gentle' and 'þryð' meaning 'strength' or 'power'. Thus, it can be interpreted as 'gentle strength'.
Meaning
gentle strength
Language Evolution
Mildeard, Mildryth, Mildred
Historical Usage
Mildred was popularized in the 7th century due to St. Mildred, an abbess in England, and it remained common through the Middle Ages but saw a decline in usage by the 19th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Millie, Milly, Mild, Mildredina
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Mildred is considered somewhat old-fashioned and less common, often associated with vintage charm and nostalgia.
Famous People
Mildred Barry, Mildred Dresselhaus, Mildred Bailey
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 18,099 peak births in 1920
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in West Virginia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 939th of 7545 | 853 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1252nd of 6773 | 559 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3597th of 7552 | 94 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8770th of 10718 | 12 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6th of 9107 | 282,619 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 41st of 9204 | 105,140 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 189th of 12526 | 33,935 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 524th of 19264 | 5,923 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1317th of 27321 | 1,880 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2329th of 35406 | 1,222 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2112th of 30306 | 1,082 |