A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Mildred since 1880
Babies named Mildred per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Mildred's real moment was 1913.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,919 |
| 1890s | 13,792 |
| 1900s | 36,173 |
| 1910s | 123,998 |
| 1920s | 147,155 |
| 1930s | 61,738 |
| 1940s | 33,071 |
| 1950s | 17,573 |
| 1960s | 7,695 |
| 1970s | 2,858 |
| 1980s | 1,378 |
| 1990s | 874 |
| 2000s | 807 |
| 2010s | 779 |
| 2020s | 605 |
Meaning & origin
Mildred, a name of gentle strength, has charted a fascinating course through American naming history. First recorded in the United States in 1880, it soared to its peak popularity in 1913, a year when it was a top choice for baby girls. The name remained a common sight through the early 20th century, particularly in the 1910s, a decade that saw a revival of many vintage names. After a long decline, Mildred is experiencing a modest resurgence: its usage has been rising since 2011, signaling renewed appreciation for its old-fashioned charm. In recent years, the name has seen higher popularity in certain states, with Ohio, Virginia, and Georgia leading the way. While still rare overall, with only 1 in 16,401 girls receiving the name in 2025, Mildred's current rank of 1,962 suggests it may continue its slow climb back into wider use.
Mildred originates from the Old English name Mildþryð, composed of the elements 'milde' meaning 'gentle, mild' and 'þryð' meaning 'strength'. It was borne by an 8th-century Anglo-Saxon saint, Mildred of Thanet, an abbess whose cult became popular in medieval England. The name fell out of common use after the Norman Conquest but was revived in the 19th century alongside other Anglo-Saxon names, gaining widespread popularity in the late Victorian and early 20th century eras.
Where Mildred is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Millie, Milly, Mid, Middy
Variants: Mildrid, Mildryd
Sibling names for Mildred
Names that share Mildred's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Mabel, Edith, Agnes, Florence, Gladys, Bernice, Doris, Phyllis, Alene, Berniece, Bettye, Carrol, Caryl, Christene, Dorris, Dorthy, Gussie, Lorene, Loretha, Mittie, Myrna, Sherrill, Ardelia, Arletha, Blondell, Burnice, Cleta, Delorise, Delsie, Dorathy, Dorthey, Earlean, Elwanda, Ethelene, Francie, Fredda, Fredia, Gladis, Hildred, Inell, Loyce, Marge, Marshell, Maybell, Myrtice, Phylis, Ruthe, Shirlie, Alfreida, Alleen, Annell, Berdine, Bernece, Betti, Blonnie, Brooksie, Charlcie, Clarene, Claris, Cledith, Clydie, Doreatha, Dorsie, Earnesteen, Evelene, Fredna, Geraline, Hellon, Hildreth, Imagene, Jewelene, Joice, Joycie, Judyth, Laretta, Lorain, Lubertha, Lurlene, Marcile, Mardella, Margorie, Marjie, Maudell, Maudine, Morley, Nance, Patsey, Raymona, Reather, Ruie, Ruther, Shelda, Thressa, Valjean, Virgene, Willadean, Willamae, Willine, Wynelle, Ardythe, Berdell, Berline, Bethene, Beverlie, Clarine, Clorine, Dorothye, Dorthie, Eldean, Ellon, Ercell, Ethelmae, Flordia, Gertrue, Girtrude, Haroldine, Jeanet, Jilda, Lafern, Lutisha, Mabell, Marvie, Mazell, Melvenia, Melvie, Melvine, Nicie, Odeal, Paulyne, Ruthell, Sallee, Uldine, Verdella, Verdelle, Verniece, Wandalee, Wilmoth, Wilsie, Arliene, Earlee, Francess, Glayds, Merie, Arnice, Arwilda, Barbera, Bernetha, Bessye, Bettey, Bettymae, Bonnetta, Clarece, Cleaster, Denelda, Doryce, Earnestene, Edwyna, Eldene, Eldine, Elgene, Ercie, Erdine, Ermalee, Forrestine, Francile, Gaytha, Gladie, Glendine, Glenyce, Ilamae, Lounell, Ludean, Margeart, Margerie, Marjoria, Maudean, Murline, Penda, Ruthel, Searcy, Shirle, Unice, Verley, Verneice, Walsie, Winefred
Brothers: Harold, Walter, Clarence, Arthur, Albert, Arnold, Clifford, Clifton, Delbert, Guy, Jean, Jimmie, Laverne, Leland, Lester, Milton, Rodger, Stanley, Vernon, Wilbert, Willard, Archibald, Bernie, Buford, Burton, Carroll, Dewitt, Dudley, Ellsworth, Ernie, Ervin, Gaylord, Hobert, Irwin, Lavern, Lavon, Lenord, Linwood, Lue, Mervin, Milford, Rayfield, Rayford, Raymon, Rollin, Sanford, Seymour, Therman, Vernell, Wilber, Wilburn, Winford, Ardell, Artis, Burdette, Burnett, Burrell, Delroy, Derald, Deward, Dillard, Dorman, Durward, Durwood, Earlie, Edrick, Edsel, Eldred, Furman, Gearld, Gorden, Jerre, Leamon, Lennis, Levern, Lugene, Manford, Marvis, Murl, Murry, Norvell, Prentice, Randle, Rayburn, Theodis, Verle, Vester, Wilfrid, Winton, Armstead, Bernis, Bertis, Bland, Bufford, Burlin, Burnis, Burtis, Clayborn, Cornel, Dearl, Delmon, Delmont, Dickey, Dickson, Doyce, Duard, Egbert, Ermon, Euel, Glenford, Guilford, Harrold, Hulon, Humphrey, Hurbert, Ingram, Jarold, Johnney, Lawernce, Leanard, Lennard, Lenoard, Lindbergh, Linville, Loyde, Manly, Manson, Marrion, Melford, Milfred, Morey, Murle, Murrel, Overton, Pervis, Raiford, Raynold, Rochester, Ronnald, Seward, Standley, Tolbert, Waddell, Waldon, Wilbern, Wilburt, Wilferd, Winferd, Alben, Arlester, Athel, Bernerd, Bertrum, Bluford, Burdell, Burdett, Chalmer, Clayburn, Cleatis, Cleston, Cliford, Comer, Danford, Darald, Deloss, Dencil, Deral, Duward, Freeland, Freemon, Gareld, Garnie, Gearl, Gervis, Gifford, Goodwin, Hargis, Hearl, Herschell, Larnce, Lavoy, Layman, Lecil, Ledford, Leldon, Lenward, Lonney, Lynford, Lytle, Mance, Meldon, Milledge, Murvin, Norville, Olney, Orbie, Ormand, Randolf, Rawleigh, Robley, Rudell, Seymore, Shermon, Stanely, Thermon, Thurmond, Varnell, Veldon, Verbon, Virl, Wilborn, Wilkins, Windel, Bearl, Burlie, Dorance, Eugean, Garl, Aldwin, Arlander, Arnol, Barnell, Berle, Berlie, Burwell, Carless, Carold, Claron, Cliffard, Coolidge, Cottrell, Cuthbert, Deloyd, Denman, Denvil, Derl, Derward, Eldrige, Ethelbert, Floyed, Gerrald, Halford, Harbert, Hilman, Jerauld, Larance, Laymond, Lc, Lorance, Luvern, Lyndle, Melroy, Merion, Mervil, Milferd, Montford, Normal, Orvile, Osric, Pelham, Philmore, Raford, Raymound, Reford, Rodert, Rondle, Stillman, Tildon, Tilford, Velton, Welborn, Wildon, Willford, Willys, Wilmon
