Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Millie

Millie is most commonly considered the English pet form of Mildred, but it could essentially be ascribed as a diminutive of any number of female names beginning with the “Mil-“ prefix (Millicent, Milagros, Mila, Milan, Milania, etc); or even names with the “mil” sound somewhere (such as Amelia, Camilla, Emily). However, Millie has always been most closely associated with Mildred which itself is an ancient Anglo-Saxon female name originally rendered as Mildþryð (meaning “gentle strength”) from the Olde English elements “milde” (gentle) and “þryð” (strength). The name was popularized in England around the 8th century thanks to a well known Anglo-Saxon abbess-turned-saint named Mildred. Born in the late 7th century, Mildred (or Mildþryð as she was known in Olde English) was the daughter and granddaughter of Anglo-Saxon kings. Her mother was also a saint and princess from Kent, England. Saint Mildred is remembered in England as a pious woman who demonstrated particular compassion for the widows, orphans and downtrodden. She was known for her humility and “gentle strength” (apparently the name fit). Her relics are now located at St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury and her Feast Day is May 18. Mildred remained a popular Anglo-Saxon name throughout England up until the 11th century Norman Conquest which is when it slowly fell out of favor. The name was revived again in the 19th century and the pet form Millie became a common independently given name in its own right. As far as the modern-day 21st century goes, well, Mildred is passé but Millie isn’t. Today Millie is a top favorite in Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland.

All About the Baby Name – Millie

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME MILLIE

Romance is the hallmark of the Six personality. They exude nurturing, loving, and caring energy. Sixes are in love with the idea of love in its idealized form - and with their magnetic personalities, they easily draw people toward them. Like the number Two personality, they seek balance and harmony in their life and the world at large. They are conscientious and service-oriented, and a champion for the underdog. These personalities naturally attract money and are usually surrounded by lovely material objects - but their human relationships are always primary. They thrive in giving back to others rather than being motivated by their own desires. This is when they achieve great things. Sixes are natural teachers, ministers and counselors.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME MILLIE

Millie was alive and well in late 19th century America. In fact, in the late 1800s the name was practically a Top 100 favorite. As we turned into the 20th century in the year 1901 Millie was ranked in at #205 on the charts – pretty respectable indeed. As the decades advanced into the 1900s Millie’s “gentle strength” began to show signs of aging; the name would see a slow and steady decline decade after decade until finally disappearing from the Top 1000 list in 1967. Millie’s semi-retirement would last for more than 40 consecutive years before this sweet little darling recently reemerged in 2008. We’re not sure what prompted her sudden return, but she is reminiscent of some other “old lady” pet names: Hattie instead of Harriet, Mollie instead of Mary, Maggie instead of Margaret, Sadie instead of Sarah, Josie instead of Josephine, Charlie instead of Charlotte, Elsie instead of Elizabeth, Evie instead of Evelyn, and the list goes on. Americans may have also noticed how popular old Millie is across the pond on the British Isles and Ireland and have now taken a second look. As a pet form of Mildred, Millie is super colloquial and casual, but she also has that old-fashioned antique charm that saves her from being just another modern day Miley, Marlee or Malia.

Quick Facts

ON MILLIE

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

598

PRONUNCIATION:

MILL-ee

SIMPLE MEANING:

Gentle strength

Characteristics

OF MILLIE

Humanitarian

Community-minded

Family-oriented

Loving

Affectionate

Compassionate

Sensitive

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Millie

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME MILLIE

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Millie

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME MILLIE

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Millie


Popular Songs

ON MILLIE

Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa
a song by De La Soul

Millie and Billie
a song by Alice Cooper

Famous People

NAMED MILLIE

Mildred "Millie" Jackson (singer/song-writer)
Millie Perkins (actress)
Mildred 'Millie' Kirkham (singer)
Mildred "Millie" Deegan (baseball player)
Millie Hughes-Fulford (astronaut)
Milagros "Millie" Corretjer (Puerto Rican singer)

Children of Famous People

NAMED MILLIE

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Millie

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME MILLIE

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Millie