Mills
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 873 recorded births. Also given to 111 girls.
Meaning & Origin
An English and Scottish occupational surname.
Mills is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, derived from the occupational surname for someone who lived or worked near a mill. Like Brooks, Fields, and Hayes, it belongs to the tradition of topographic English surnames elevated to given names.
Short and confident, Mills has the clean, one-syllable strength that makes surname names so appealing to modern parents.
EtymologyShow more
Mills first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1882. Names present in the earliest SSA data (which begins in 1880) were typically carried by immigrants from Europe, handed down through families, or drawn from biblical and classical sources.
Its Old English classification suggests a path from old english linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Mills climbed 5736 spots in the last 20 years — from #8665 to #2929.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 166 | — |
| 2010s | 173 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 87 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 34 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 24 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 39 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 66 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 65 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 103 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 80 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 6 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 20 | — |
The Story of Mills
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Mills is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Mills are most likely born between 2014 and 2024.
How rare is Mills?
Only about 1 in every 83,721 babies born in 2024 was named Mills — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1882, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2010s with 173 births that decade, and continues to thrive.
Mills by the numbers
- Would fill 18 school buses
- Meeting one Mills per day would take 2.4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(80 years, 1882–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 43 | #2929 |
| 2023 | 34 | #3458 |
| 2022 | 24 | #4390 |
| 2021 | 36 | #3278 |
| 2020 | 29 | #3700 |
| 2019 | 23 | #4429 |
| 2018 | 30 | #3674 |
| 2017 | 24 | #4295 |
| 2016 | 22 | #4576 |
| 2015 | 15 | #5905 |
| 2014 | 10 | #7944 |
| 2013 | 14 | #6136 |
| 2012 | 20 | #4806 |
| 2011 | 7 | #10396 |
| 2010 | 8 | #9376 |
| 2009 | 10 | #8101 |
| 2008 | 9 | #8781 |
| 2007 | 8 | #9463 |
| 2006 | 10 | #7818 |
| 2005 | 5 | #12715 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Mills as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Mills has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 111 births since 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mills a boy's or girl's name?
When was Mills most popular?
How popular is the name Mills?
Can Mills be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1882–2024