Is Mildred a boy's or girl's name?

Mildred is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 1,583 recorded births.

When was Mildred most popular?

Mildred reached its peak popularity in 1920 with 18,060 births that year. It is currently ranked #2105 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Mildred?

Mildred is currently ranked #2105 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 451,312 babies since 1880.

Mildred

An uncommon Old English pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysOld EnglishDeclining Also a pet name

#2105▼ 265in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A female given name from Old English.

Mildred is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old English origin, from the Anglo-Saxon Mildthryth, meaning "gentle strength" — combining mild (gentle) and þryth (strength). Saint Mildred of Thanet, a 7th-century abbess, was one of the most venerated Anglo-Saxon saints.

Mildred was a top 5 U.S. name in the 1910s and 1920s. The classic noir film Mildred Pierce (1945), starring Joan Crawford, gave the name a fierce, complex cinematic identity. Vintage name enthusiasts are quietly rediscovering Mildred — with the irresistible nickname Millie making it feel completely fresh again.

Compare Mildred with another name

Popularity Over Time

Mildred climbed 118 spots in the last 20 years — from #2223 to #2105.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Mildred
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	506	#1948	▼
2010s	779	#2393	—
2000s	807	#2250	—
1990s	873	#1782	▼
1980s	1,378	#1087	▼
1970s	2,858	#632	▼
1960s	7,695	#345	▼
1950s	17,573	#189	▼
1940s	33,069	#90	▼
1930s	61,737	#37	▼
1920s	147,155	#10	▲
1910s	123,998	#7	▲
1900s	36,173	#11	▲
1890s	13,792	#46	▲
1880s	2,919	#104	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Mildred
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	91	#2105	-18 (-16.5%)
2023	109	#1840	+1 (0.9%)
2022	108	#1881	+6 (5.9%)
2021	102	#1939	+6 (6.3%)
2020	96	#1974	+19 (24.7%)
2019	77	#2346	-16 (-17.2%)
2018	93	#2076	+10 (12.0%)
2017	83	#2265	+4 (5.1%)
2016	79	#2378	-9 (-10.2%)
2015	88	#2159	+6 (7.3%)
2014	82	#2284	+8 (10.8%)
2013	74	#2454	+10 (15.6%)
2012	64	#2757	-6 (-8.6%)
2011	70	#2576	+1 (1.4%)
2010	69	#2632	0
2009	69	#2666	-18 (-20.7%)
2008	87	#2262	-6 (-6.5%)
2007	93	#2158	+17 (22.4%)
2006	76	#2453	+3 (4.1%)
2005	73	#2427	-7 (-8.8%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Mildred as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Mildred has also been given to 1,583 boys in the U.S. since 1889.

Unranked

Current rank

1,583

Total births

1926

Peak year

Compare Mildred as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Mildred be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Mildred is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #2105. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Mildred has two lives

Mildred, the baby name

#2105girls

451,312 babies

Currently viewing

Mildred, the pet name

#2655pet name

34 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology