Mildred
About Mildred
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.
As of October 2026, Mildred ranked #1973 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #6 in 1919, Nameberry popularity #899.
Editor's take: The name Mildred is a girl's name of English origin meaning "gentle strength".
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #2,284 | 82 | 45.9 |
| 2015 | #2,159 | 88 | 49.3 |
| 2016 | #2,378 | 79 | 44.6 |
| 2017 | #2,265 | 83 | 48.1 |
| 2018 | #2,076 | 93 | 54.7 |
| 2019 | #2,346 | 77 | 45.9 |
| 2020 | #1,974 | 96 | 59.4 |
| 2021 | #1,939 | 102 | 62.2 |
| 2022 | #1,881 | 108 | 65.8 |
| 2023 | #1,840 | 109 | 67.9 |
| 2024 | #2,105 | 91 | 56.2 |
| 2025 | #1,973 | 98 | 61 |
World rankings
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Mildred.
- Edna
- Gertrude
- Minnette
- Maryellen
- Francine
- Doris
- Joan
- Geraldine
- Hilda
- Thelma
- Gladys
- Ethel
- Jemima
- Edwina
- Lois
- Dora
- Wilma
- Alberta
- Georgienne
- Frida
Mildred on lists
Famous Mildreds
- 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
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"
Variations & nicknames
- Millie
- Milly