Meaning, origin, history
Mildred is a feminine given name of English origin. It was originally used as a pet form of the German name Mildrada, which means "gentle strength" or "powerful protector." The name is composed of two elements: "mild," meaning gentle or soft, and "-rath," meaning power or protection.
The name Mildred has a long history in English-speaking countries. It was first recorded in England during the Middle Ages, where it was used as both a given name and a surname. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Mildred became popular as a given name for girls in the United States.
Some notable figures with the name Mildred include:
* Mildred "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias (1911-1956), an American athlete who won two gold medals at the 1932 Summer Olympics and was one of the most prominent women athletes of her time.
* Mildred Loving (1939-2008), an American civil rights activist whose interracial marriage to Richard Loving in Virginia in 1958 ultimately led to the Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia, which struck down laws prohibiting interracial marriage.
Today, Mildred is still used as a given name for girls, although it has become less common than it was in the mid-20th century. Variations of the name include Milly, Millie, Millicent, and Milder.
Overall, Mildred is a name with a rich history and a unique meaning that combines gentleness with strength or protection. Its use as both a given name and a surname throughout English-speaking countries reflects its enduring popularity over time.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Millerd since 1880
Total births
17
Total since 1880
Peak year
1913
6 births
in 1928
6
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
→
vs previous 5 years