Millie Name Meaning | Origin, History & Popularity

Millie is a popular name with a charming and vintage feel. It has been a well-loved name for girls since the early 1900s, and its popularity has only increased in recent years. In this article, we will explore the meaning and origin of the name Millie, as well as its cultural significance and notable namesakes.

Origin and Meaning of the Name Millie

The name Millie is a diminutive form of the name Millicent, which is derived from the Old English words “mill,” meaning “thousand,” and “sige,” meaning “victory.” This gives the name the meaning of “strong in battle.”

The name Millicent was popularized in the Middle Ages by the tale of a noblewoman of that name who was renowned for her beauty and virtue. The name was used mostly among the English upper classes until the 19th century, when it gained widespread popularity as a given name.

The diminutive form of Millicent, Millie, has become a popular name in its own right. It first appeared in the United States in the late 19th century and has been steadily increasing in popularity ever since.

Cultural Significance of the Name Millie

The name Millie has been used in popular culture in various ways. In literature, the name has appeared in works such as “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger and “The Age of Innocence” by Edith Wharton. It has also been used as a character name in television shows such as “Freaks and Geeks” and “The Walking Dead.”

Musically, the name has appeared in songs by various artists, including the popular British band The Arctic Monkeys’ hit song “Fluorescent Adolescent,” which includes the lyrics “You used to get it in your fishnets, now you only get it in your night dress, discarded all the naughty nights for niceness, landed in a very common crisis, everything’s in order in a black hole, nothing seems as pretty as the past though.”

Notable Namesakes of the Name Millie

There have been many notable people with the name Millie throughout history. One such person is Millie Bobby Brown, an English actress who rose to fame for her role as Eleven in the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things.” Brown has won multiple awards for her acting, including a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Primetime Emmy Award.

Another famous Millie is Millie Jackson, an American R&B and soul singer who has been active since the 1970s. She is known for her frank and often explicit lyrics, as well as her energetic live performances. Jackson has released over 20 albums throughout her career and has been nominated for several Grammy Awards.

Other notable Millies include Millie Perkins, an American actress best known for her role in the 1961 film “The Diary of Anne Frank,” and Millie Bright, an English footballer who plays for the Chelsea Football Club and the England national team.

Popularity of the Name Millie

The name Millie has been increasing in popularity in recent years. In the United States, the name first entered the top 1000 names for girls in the late 1990s and has been steadily rising ever since. In 2021, it ranked as the 132nd most popular name for girls in the United States.

The name is also popular in the United Kingdom, where it has consistently been in the top 100 names for girls since the early 2000s. In 2020, it ranked as the 39th most popular name for girls in the UK.