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Help[Opinions] Mildred (etc.)
I'm going to write my next column on Mildred -- partly because the woman who interviewed me for the "Romper" article linked to below told me that she has heard young women she knows (probably upper middle class women in New York City) say they are considering Mildred as a name for a baby.
I was a bit surprised -- I have up to now thought that the sounds of Mildred don't fit in with modern tastes, and that if a more formal name was wanted to yield the pet name Millie that Millicent would come back before Mildred. Personally I also like to suggest Milbrey -- a very rare name which is the modern form of Mildburh, the name of one of the original medieval St. Mildred's sisters.
What do posters on this board think of Mildred? Have you heard any friends or acquaintances say they like it as a name? Would you consider it for a daughter? Do Millicent and Milbrey seem like better or worse alternatives? (Please give the country you live in and your approximate age when you answer.)
Thanks a lot!!
https://www.romper.com/p/how-do-baby-names-become-popular-expert-explains-why-emma-noah-are-topping-the-charts-3015673
I was a bit surprised -- I have up to now thought that the sounds of Mildred don't fit in with modern tastes, and that if a more formal name was wanted to yield the pet name Millie that Millicent would come back before Mildred. Personally I also like to suggest Milbrey -- a very rare name which is the modern form of Mildburh, the name of one of the original medieval St. Mildred's sisters.
What do posters on this board think of Mildred? Have you heard any friends or acquaintances say they like it as a name? Would you consider it for a daughter? Do Millicent and Milbrey seem like better or worse alternatives? (Please give the country you live in and your approximate age when you answer.)
Thanks a lot!!
https://www.romper.com/p/how-do-baby-names-become-popular-expert-explains-why-emma-noah-are-topping-the-charts-3015673
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When I found out how popular Mildred once was, I was shocked. I've never gotten its appeal and all I think of is 'dread' and 'mildew.' However, Millicent (a name I coincidentally was thinking of just yesterday!) I don't mind at all. I've liked it a lot more in the past but it could grow on me again. I prefer it leaps and bounds over Mildred - a name that I have never known someone to say they liked probably because it's mostly forgotten.
Milbrey isn't bad, reminds me of Aubrey. I think it's cute and could see either Milbrey or Millicent coming back before Mildred does.
I just turned 28 and am from upstate New York.
Milbrey isn't bad, reminds me of Aubrey. I think it's cute and could see either Milbrey or Millicent coming back before Mildred does.
I just turned 28 and am from upstate New York.
This message was edited 11/2/2017, 4:17 PM
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Thanks so much for your responses--
I am fascinated by how many of you think Milbrey is "surnamey", because it is actually close to nonexistent as a surname. In the 1940 U.S. census, the last available, there are only 2 people in the entire USA who are listed with Milbrey as a last name. There are 93 people in that census with "Milbry" as a surname -- but there are 350 who have Mildred as a surname!
So it's rather unlikely any of you actually know anyone who has Milbrey or Milbry as their last name. :)
I am fascinated by how many of you think Milbrey is "surnamey", because it is actually close to nonexistent as a surname. In the 1940 U.S. census, the last available, there are only 2 people in the entire USA who are listed with Milbrey as a last name. There are 93 people in that census with "Milbry" as a surname -- but there are 350 who have Mildred as a surname!
So it's rather unlikely any of you actually know anyone who has Milbrey or Milbry as their last name. :)
This message was edited 11/1/2017, 3:48 PM
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I really hate Mildred, but it ism't due to age or unfamiliarity. It just reminds me of Mildew. I like Hildred, but Mildred seems a more likely choice due to familiarity. Milbrey is neat, but a bit surnamey for me. It does sound like one that would come into fashion now. Millicent is cute and also seems more likely to me, but I at least connect it with Millicent Bullstrode in Harry Potter, and I know many of my friends would as well and we are in the having kids phase of life.
I am 26 and in the USA.
I am 26 and in the USA.
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I really, really love the name Mildred. If I had a daughter I'd consider naming her that. It's a beautiful, substantial name with a good meaning and history. I definitely think it's usable; so is Millicent. Really not a fan of Milbrey, it sounds trendy to me. I live in the US and I'm in my early 30s.
This message was edited 10/31/2017, 10:19 PM
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I love Mildred. It means 'gentle strength' and even though I'm not so fond of the meaning (I prefer meanings associated with nature) I like how Mildred sounds both strong and soft at the same time. Millie is cute too. I love 'The Worst Witch' so this name has good associations.
Millicent makes me think of money and of something not worth much (just a few cents) and Milbrey makes me think of mildew. It actually makes me think of mildew and cheese, it sounds like a combination of the word mildew and the cheese Brie.
I'm in my 20s, from Europe (Austrian/French).
Millicent makes me think of money and of something not worth much (just a few cents) and Milbrey makes me think of mildew. It actually makes me think of mildew and cheese, it sounds like a combination of the word mildew and the cheese Brie.
I'm in my 20s, from Europe (Austrian/French).
This message was edited 10/31/2017, 5:23 PM
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All the Milly's that I know are either just Milly, or Camilla or Emily or Amelia. The younger ones (under 10) don't tend to have a fuller name. That makes sense here as names like Alfie, Archie and Ellie top UK popularity charts.
I think people are probably after Mildred just so they can use Milly, which does have a trendy sound unlike the heavy Mildred.
Millicent sounds too medicinal to me and Milbrey sounds like an ugly surname. I also dislike the sound of Aubrey so maybe that's just me.
I'm 25 and in the UK.
I think people are probably after Mildred just so they can use Milly, which does have a trendy sound unlike the heavy Mildred.
Millicent sounds too medicinal to me and Milbrey sounds like an ugly surname. I also dislike the sound of Aubrey so maybe that's just me.
I'm 25 and in the UK.
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I don't hate Mildred. It's heavy sounding, like some of the names I do enjoy like Brigid or Margaret, and I like strong names that. However, the 'dread' really sticks out to me and that makes it seem very morbid.
I enjoy Millie but I think it's flimsy as a standalone name. I love Millicent and would consider using it in real life one day. It sounds bright and sunny to me. I'd almost not want to use the nickname Millie because I love saying Millicent aloud.
Milbrey is neat but not to my taste. I could see it getting some traction if more people knew of it because it fits with the Audrey, Aubrey, Emery, Avery, Hadley kind of vibe. I don't think it easily lends itself to Millie as much because it's a short name already ending in the -ee sound. I'm not fond of the sound of Milbrey though the more I say it even though I'd think it was cool to see it used.
I know maybe 4 or 5 little girls who go by Millie in Australia. For all of them, it is a nickname for Amelia or Emilia.
In the past, I've considered Emmeline "Millie" too as the middle sound comes out like a 'mil' in my accent. I don't think I'd use Emmeline in real life though due to the popularity of Emma, Emily and Emilia. I also don't like the ambiguity of the last syllable of it...is it -line or -lyn or -leen.
I'm 28 and I'm an Australian living in the US (a state in the Deep South).
I enjoy Millie but I think it's flimsy as a standalone name. I love Millicent and would consider using it in real life one day. It sounds bright and sunny to me. I'd almost not want to use the nickname Millie because I love saying Millicent aloud.
Milbrey is neat but not to my taste. I could see it getting some traction if more people knew of it because it fits with the Audrey, Aubrey, Emery, Avery, Hadley kind of vibe. I don't think it easily lends itself to Millie as much because it's a short name already ending in the -ee sound. I'm not fond of the sound of Milbrey though the more I say it even though I'd think it was cool to see it used.
I know maybe 4 or 5 little girls who go by Millie in Australia. For all of them, it is a nickname for Amelia or Emilia.
In the past, I've considered Emmeline "Millie" too as the middle sound comes out like a 'mil' in my accent. I don't think I'd use Emmeline in real life though due to the popularity of Emma, Emily and Emilia. I also don't like the ambiguity of the last syllable of it...is it -line or -lyn or -leen.
I'm 28 and I'm an Australian living in the US (a state in the Deep South).
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I don't like Mildred enough to use, but it has a great meaning and I don't mind the sound of it. I've never heard anyone consider it for a child outside of this board, and I've only met one bearer ever: she would have been born around 1910 and went by her middle name.
Millicent reminds me of millipedes and Millicent Bulstrode. Milbrey is interesting, but not that appealing. Milbrow/Milbrough/Milborough seems to have had a fair bit of Victorian usage here in the UK, and I like that better: if it were a passed-down family name I'd definitely consider using it.
Millicent reminds me of millipedes and Millicent Bulstrode. Milbrey is interesting, but not that appealing. Milbrow/Milbrough/Milborough seems to have had a fair bit of Victorian usage here in the UK, and I like that better: if it were a passed-down family name I'd definitely consider using it.
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Thanks -- the earliest example of the name I've found in the USA so far is of a Milbrough, who died in 1773 in North Carolina. The common form seems to have shifted to Milbrey in the USA after 1800. I haven't had time to check the census yet, though, just have Googled the various forms of the name.
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38, from Sweden. I think that Mildred is ugly and although it's not unheard of here, it's pretty rare. I've never met a Mildred, I don't think I've even heard about a Swedish Mildred.
Many old names are starting to get popular again, like Åke, Edith, Ester, Harry, etc., but I've yet to see Mildred.
Since I speak English, I think of dread and mildew.
I don't like Millicent or Milbrey either. Millie can be cute, though.
Many old names are starting to get popular again, like Åke, Edith, Ester, Harry, etc., but I've yet to see Mildred.
Since I speak English, I think of dread and mildew.
I don't like Millicent or Milbrey either. Millie can be cute, though.
This message was edited 10/31/2017, 12:24 PM
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Hi !!!
I'm 22 and I'm from Italy.
Mildred is a lovely, soft name imo.
It is simple to write and pronounce also for a non-English-speaker.
I know it was used decades ago but this makes it more fascinating to my eyes.
It is charming, delicate and feminine.
As I'm Italian I never met a real Mildred. I know the most of non-Italian names only because of Internet, books or Tv.
Although I like it I will not consider it for a daughter because I prefer other names (this one is nice but not special).
Milbrey seems to much a surname but Millicent is nice! I like it too! Both are in my PLN.
But it has a differemt vibe than Mildred.
Millicent is metallic, greenish/blue or steel-like. It is strong, spunky and quite aggressive.
Millicent or Mildred? I choose Mildred.
I'm 22 and I'm from Italy.
Mildred is a lovely, soft name imo.
It is simple to write and pronounce also for a non-English-speaker.
I know it was used decades ago but this makes it more fascinating to my eyes.
It is charming, delicate and feminine.
As I'm Italian I never met a real Mildred. I know the most of non-Italian names only because of Internet, books or Tv.
Although I like it I will not consider it for a daughter because I prefer other names (this one is nice but not special).
Milbrey seems to much a surname but Millicent is nice! I like it too! Both are in my PLN.
But it has a differemt vibe than Mildred.
Millicent is metallic, greenish/blue or steel-like. It is strong, spunky and quite aggressive.
Millicent or Mildred? I choose Mildred.
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I like Mildred. I have only seen other people on this board say they liked Mildred, never anyone in real life. I understand why. Even though I like it, I don't think I would want it to be my name, so there you go.
I do see how it could have some appeal for upper middle class women in New York City, though. It would definitely make a statement. And i mean, if you'd asked the average person about Hazel twenty years ago, they could have easily put it in the same category as Mildred. And look at Hazel now!
I like Millicent too. Idk about Milbrey, without the historical context you provided I'd assume it was made up and that her sister would probably be named Raelynn or Tenley or something. So it doesn't fit the style of Mildred at all.
I'd think Camilla or Amelia would be the most palatable full names for Millie right now.
I'm 19 and from the United States though.
I do see how it could have some appeal for upper middle class women in New York City, though. It would definitely make a statement. And i mean, if you'd asked the average person about Hazel twenty years ago, they could have easily put it in the same category as Mildred. And look at Hazel now!
I like Millicent too. Idk about Milbrey, without the historical context you provided I'd assume it was made up and that her sister would probably be named Raelynn or Tenley or something. So it doesn't fit the style of Mildred at all.
I'd think Camilla or Amelia would be the most palatable full names for Millie right now.
I'm 19 and from the United States though.
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I like Mildred, not enough to use (this may possibly be influenced by me having a close friend whose grandmother was named Mildred--I'd feel like I was naming a child after her grandmother?) but enough to get excited if I meet one. If my friend shows any interest in naming her own child after her grandmother, I think I'd strongly encourage it.
I think Mildred is significantly better than Millicent. For some reason I tie Millicent to the 70s, so it feels like a much more recently dated name (I am aware it is dated more to the 30s. I'm tying it to the 70s maybe because I know it's Barbie [the doll]'s middle name, or because of the -lis- sound in it-- reminds me of Allison and Melissa). Milbrey seems trendy and made up, like someone liked Aubrey but wanted to have Millie as a nickname.
I am 26 and in the US.
I think Mildred is significantly better than Millicent. For some reason I tie Millicent to the 70s, so it feels like a much more recently dated name (I am aware it is dated more to the 30s. I'm tying it to the 70s maybe because I know it's Barbie [the doll]'s middle name, or because of the -lis- sound in it-- reminds me of Allison and Melissa). Milbrey seems trendy and made up, like someone liked Aubrey but wanted to have Millie as a nickname.
I am 26 and in the US.
This message was edited 10/31/2017, 10:20 AM
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It's hideous but it was my beloved grandmother's name (a very southern decidedly not upper-middle class woman). I really hate it but I loved her so much I might consider it for a middle name. But I'd be more likely to use her middle name, Ruth.
I'm 32 and in the US.
I'm 32 and in the US.
This message was edited 10/31/2017, 9:54 AM
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I never liked the name because it sounds so dour. MIL-DRED. There is nothing about the sound that appeals to me, at all.
No, I have never heard anyone in my circle say they like this name, or come close to even considering it, or any name like it. My friends, family, and acquaintances tend to like trendy/popular names. No, I would never consider it for a daughter in a million years. I do have a soft spot for Millicent, but I hate the NN Millie.
I live in the US, and I check the 35-40 age box on forms.
No, I have never heard anyone in my circle say they like this name, or come close to even considering it, or any name like it. My friends, family, and acquaintances tend to like trendy/popular names. No, I would never consider it for a daughter in a million years. I do have a soft spot for Millicent, but I hate the NN Millie.
I live in the US, and I check the 35-40 age box on forms.
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I'm 37 and from the US. I think Mildred is ugly ugly ugly, and I have never met but one, and that was a very old lady at the time. She'd probably have been born around 1910, I guess.
I don't like Millie either, and none of those other names does a thing for me.
I'd be interested to know if any of those NYC women actually do give the name Mildred. I wouldn't bet on it.
I don't like Millie either, and none of those other names does a thing for me.
I'd be interested to know if any of those NYC women actually do give the name Mildred. I wouldn't bet on it.
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I don't like Mildred and have never heard anyone say that they do. It makes me think of the word "mildew" and it seems heavy and morbid. I wouldn't consider it, no. Millicent does seem a better alternative to me. Milbrey, not so much.
OTOH, I am a bit of an oldster so that may affect how I see the name. I'm 57 and live in the USA. On the other other hand, I have started liking some names that I didn't when young, names that were still seen as "old lady" back then---but Mildred just isn't one of them.
I don't think there's any name that can be absolutely ruled out as far as coming back into style. People thought Gertrude was just great from 1880 to 1920, and it could happen again. And I'm at the point where all the names that were popular when I was in my 20s now just make me roll my eyes, though back then I saw their appeal.
OTOH, I am a bit of an oldster so that may affect how I see the name. I'm 57 and live in the USA. On the other other hand, I have started liking some names that I didn't when young, names that were still seen as "old lady" back then---but Mildred just isn't one of them.
I don't think there's any name that can be absolutely ruled out as far as coming back into style. People thought Gertrude was just great from 1880 to 1920, and it could happen again. And I'm at the point where all the names that were popular when I was in my 20s now just make me roll my eyes, though back then I saw their appeal.
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