Mildred is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English elements "mīþ" meaning "gentle" or "soft," and "hryð" meaning "strength." Therefore, the name Mildred can be interpreted to mean "gentle strength."
The name Mildred has been used throughout history, with some notable figures bearing this name. One of the most famous Mildreds is Saint Mildred, a 7th-century saint from England who was the daughter of King Æthelberht II of Kent. She became a nun and eventually founded the abbey at Thanet in Kent.
Another notable figure named Mildred is Mildred Hill, an American composer best known for co-writing the song "America the Beautiful" with her sister, Katherine Lee Bates. The name has also been used by several other individuals throughout history, including Mildred J. Loomis, a physicist and science educator who played a significant role in the development of the atomic bomb.
Today, Mildred remains a popular choice for parents seeking a vintage or unique name for their daughters. While it may not be as commonly used as some other names, Mildred continues to be beloved by those who carry this distinctive moniker.
The name Mildred has seen a significant decrease in popularity over the past century in the United States. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was quite popular, with the number of births reaching its peak in 1918 with 17,300 births. However, this trend began to decline rapidly in the 1920s and continued to do so throughout the century.
By the 1950s, the popularity of Mildred had decreased significantly, with fewer than 2,000 births per year. This downward trend continued until the late 1970s when there were less than 200 births annually. In the 1980s and 1990s, Mildred became even rarer as a given name, with fewer than 100 births each year.
In recent years, the name has seen a slight resurgence in popularity among parents choosing to honor their grandparents or great-grandparents by giving their daughters this vintage name. Between 2015 and 2022, there have been between 74 and 109 births per year with the name Mildred. While it is still not as popular as it once was, it seems that Mildred may be making a comeback among parents who appreciate classic names with historical significance.