girls' name · peaked 1920

Mildred

From the name of an 8th-century English saint, Old English Mildþrȳþ (from milde (“mild”) +‎ þrȳþ (“strength”)).

Every Mildred since 1880 — 452,998 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
510152018801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#1,973
among girls
Babies in 2025
98
named Mildred
Peak year
1920
18,099 babies
All-time total
452,998
since 1880

The story of Mildred

Mildred is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #1,973 in 2025 with 98 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 452,998 American babies have been named Mildred. Its peak came in 1920, when 18,099 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Mildred stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Mildred year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 98 #1,973
2024 92 #2,093
2023 109 #1,841
2022 108 #1,882
2021 102 #1,940
2020 96 #1,974
2019 77 #2,347
2018 93 #2,077
2017 83 #2,265
2016 79 #2,378
2015 88 #2,159
2014 82 #2,285
2013 74 #2,454
2012 64 #2,757
2011 70 #2,577
2010 69 #2,632
2009 69 #2,666
2008 87 #2,262
2007 93 #2,158
2006 76 #2,453
2005 73 #2,426
2004 80 #2,224
2003 90 #2,014
2002 83 #2,072
2001 75 #2,184
2000 81 #2,046
1995 84 #1,743
1990 109 #1,441
1985 107 #1,267
1980 159 #944
1975 256 #615
1970 482 #454 7 #4,101
1965 749 #329
1960 1,081 #275 7 #3,550
1955 1,642 #197 10 #2,704
1950 2,296 #135 5 #4,028
1945 2,960 #93 8 #2,693
1940 3,938 #58 32 #1,199
1935 5,546 #35 32 #1,183
1930 9,356 #21 37 #1,167
1925 14,453 #9 45 #1,036
1920 18,060 #6 39 #1,149
1915 15,254 #6 38 #1,051
1910 5,692 #8 18 #724
1905 3,758 #8 17 #582
1900 2,800 #20 13 #720
1895 1,474 #39 6 #1,044
1890 635 #71 6 #960
1885 245 #111
1880 132 #121

Famous people named Mildred

  1. Mildred Harris Actor · 1901–1944
  2. Mildred Natwick Actor · 1905–1994
  3. Mildred Dresselhaus Physicist · 1930–2017
  4. Mildred Davis Actor · 1901–1969
  5. Mildred McDaniel Athlete · 1933–2004

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Mildred mean?

From the name of an 8th-century English saint, Old English Mildþrȳþ (from milde (“mild”) +‎ þrȳþ (“strength”)).

How popular is the name Mildred in 2025?

Mildred ranked #1,973 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 98 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Mildred?

452,998 babies have been named Mildred in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Mildred most popular?

Mildred peaked in 1920, when 18,099 newborns received the name.

Is Mildred a boy or girl name?

Mildred is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Mildred rising or falling?

Mildred is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Mildred?

Well-known people named Mildred include Mildred Harris (actor), Mildred Natwick (actor), Mildred Dresselhaus (physicist).

Names like Mildred

Compare Mildred with similar names →