Mildred

English

"gentle strength"

Mildred Origin and Meaning

The name Mildred is a girl's name of English origin meaning "gentle strength".

Is it clunky cute, strong and vintage, or dreadful and mildewy? Like Gertrude and Bertha, Mildred is one that divides the crowds, but with popular nickname Mildred and renewed interest in Winifred, Deborah, Millicent, and Gwendolen, it's not entirely out of the question that Mildred might make a return in coming years

Mildred is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that became popularized in England via the daughter of the 7th century saint and princess Ermenburga. Mildred herself became a saint and abbess in the 8th century and was noted for her kindness, especially to those made outcasts by society. Her name, meaning "gentle strength" was then fitting.

In the US, she was a Top 10 choice from 1903 to 1926, with notable beaters including jazz singer Mildred Bailey and the character of Mildred Pierce, played by Joan Crawford in the hit movie of the same name.

Around 100 girls are currently called Mildred in the US each year.

Mildred Rank in US Top 1000

# 972 in the US

Mildred Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 1377 on Nameberry

Popularity of the name Mildred

• 1377 Nameberry 2025
• 835 Unique 2023

20 Names Similar to Mildred

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Mildred.

• Edna
• Gertrude
• Joan
• Gladys
• Doris
• Hilda
• Geraldine
• Francine
• Jemima
• Ethel
• Lois
• Dora
• Alberta
• Edwina
• Thelma
• Frida
• Bernadette
• Mathilda
• Susanna
• Judith

Famous People Named Mildred

• Mildred Natwick American actress
• Mildred Bailey American singer
• Mildred Harris American actress
• Mildred Dunnock American actress
• Mildred Davis American actress and wife of Harold Lloyd
• Mildred Benson American author
• Mildred "Millie" Jackson American singer
• Mildred "Millie" Kirkham American singer
• Mildred "Millie" Deegan American female baseball player
• Mildred Plumber author of Sunday Exploits
• Adele Mildred illustrator, designer and milliner
• Mildred Delores Loving plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia which invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage

The name Mildred in Pop Culture

• Mildred Lathbury one of novelist Barbara Pym's "Excellent Women"
• Mildred Harper character on Two and a Half Men
• Mildred Pierce novel by James M. Cain
• Mildred Huxtetter character from The Muppet Show
• Mildred Montag character in the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
• Mildred Rogers character in "Of Human Bondage"
• Mildred Keith cousin of Elsie Dinsmore
• Margaret Mildred "Kit" Kittredge American Girl doll
• Mildred "Millie" Helper neighbor on The Dick Van Dyke Show
• Mildred Hubble The Worst Witch
• Millerna Aston secondary character, a princess, in the anime Escaflowne
• Mildred Plumber author of "Sunday Exploits"
• Mildred Hayes character in film "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri"