Girl Name · English Origin
Mildred
Few names balance heritage and freshness the way Mildred does. The name's literal sense — "Gentle strength" — is the kind of small story a child grows into rather than out of. Mildred's English origins mean it carries pronunciation and feel from a deep historical well, not from a recent invention. In our editorial review, Mildred ranked highly on cross-cultural recognizability, an underrated factor for families with multilingual surnames.
Popularity-wise, Mildred lives in the top 250 on the latest SSA charts — a popular pick that still feels personal. Year-over-year, the rank moves only slightly, suggesting the name has reached a stable plateau rather than a momentary peak. It pairs naturally with vintage middles and modern surnames alike, which is part of why it shows up across so many shortlists. If Milfred is already on your list, Mildred belongs in the same conversation; the sections below dig into pronunciation, nicknames, and sibling fits.
Mildred meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Gentle strength
Origin: English naming roots help connect Mildred to related English baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Mildred as M·I·L·D·R·E·D, with 7 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Mildred is a popular favorite that still feels personal in the Top 250 tier.
Mildred variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Mildreda, Mildrede, Mildredy, Mildre.
- Nicknames: Mild and M.
- Middle names: Pair Mildred with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Mildred middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Milfred, Milton, Milda, Millard, Milford — full picks on the sibling names for Mildred guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Mildred? Browse our names like Mildred guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Mildred
What does the name Mildred mean?
Mildred means "Gentle strength" and is of English origin.
What is the origin of Mildred?
Mildred originates in English naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Mildred?
Mildred has 7 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Mildred a boy's or girl's name?
Mildred is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Mildred in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Mildred sits in the Top 250 tier — a popular favorite that still feels personal.
What names are similar to Mildred?
Names that share Mildred's sound and style include Milfred, Milton, Milda, Millard, Milford.
What middle names pair well with Mildred?
Good middle-name fits for Mildred pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Mildred is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Mildred is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Mildred?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Mildred share its rhythm without rhyming — Milfred, Milton, Milda all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.