Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Thoughts on Mildred?

124 replies

Iwantalonglie · 30/07/2020 19:59

Trying to agree a name for DD expected in a few months.

DH thinks old-fashioned names like this are making a comeback. I think over my dead body. He points out that we know an Agatha, Florence, Dulcie, Edith and Pamela. I'm not fond of any of these but I don't think any of them are as bad as Mildred?

AIBU? Or is he?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
EboracumNovum · 30/07/2020 20:02

It makes me think of a bad-ass Viking character in a series of books I've read so from that perspective I think it's quite cool.

I can see why you wouldnt want to go there though.

Could be shortened to Millie?

frogswimming · 30/07/2020 20:03

Mildred is awful. It's like a comedy drippy girl name from the 1950s.

Marcipex · 30/07/2020 20:04

Mildew. Please don’t.

Florence is pleasant and usable. Dulcie is dreadful. Edith ok.

Starlight39 · 30/07/2020 20:04

We named a cat Mildred after the main character from the worst witch. It suited her perfectly but not for a child imo!

Tempusfudgeit · 30/07/2020 20:05

Character in The Worst Witch for me.

Heischeatingisnthe · 30/07/2020 20:06

Noooo

Whatelsecanipossiblydo · 30/07/2020 20:09

I wouldn’t. Love Florence but the others are pretty bad. Pamela is the worst...

Bonkersblond · 30/07/2020 20:09

Just no, I don't normally comment on name threads, please don't. You may as well call her Milly, as that is what it will turn into, which I like, but poor girl having Mildred on her birth certificate.

Piggyhoolier · 30/07/2020 20:09

My DC love the worst witch and think Mildred is a cool name. So a little Mildred probably wouldn’t get teased for her name by her class mates...but their parents might raise and eyebrow.

CheshireCats · 30/07/2020 20:09

It's awful. Mil dreadful.

Whatsyourflava · 30/07/2020 20:14

It's the "dred" part that's got awful connotations

mathanxiety · 30/07/2020 20:14

Your DH is surely joking?

It's worse than Ethel, Muriel, Gladys, Phyllis, Dilys and Beryl combined.

Dulcie and Pamela are awful too, but they're not in the same league as Mildred.

Agatha, Florence and Edith have a lot going for them.

Some names dropped out of fashion for very good reasons.

AfterSchoolWorry · 30/07/2020 20:16

I knew this day would come. 🙄

Mildew.

BobFleming · 30/07/2020 20:16

Are you joking? Please say you're joking.

It might be the ugliest name ever.

TheTroutofNoCraic · 30/07/2020 20:19

Mildred Ratched.
Big fat nope from me

catmg · 30/07/2020 20:19

Absolutely awful sorry. Taking the fashion for old woman names way too far!!

BBCONEANDTWO · 30/07/2020 20:20

That would be cruelty to child.

TigerDroveAgain · 30/07/2020 20:21

Yootha Joyce

20viona · 30/07/2020 20:25

Horrific.

LilacSloth · 30/07/2020 21:02

It's awful.

PillarOfSugar · 30/07/2020 21:02

I hate it too, I’m afraid. It is terribly ugly. Zero sex appeal. Mildred doesn’t sound like she’d be much fun, she sounds buttoned up, and prudish. It reminds me of Mordred, who I think was the result of the incestuous union between Morgan and her brother Arthur, wasn’t he? His name was so appropriate, because he was so terrifying, he certainly did instill dread.

Canyousewcushions · 30/07/2020 21:05

I really love it. But it looks like I'm a lone voice!

How about Maude/Mabel/Margot for a similar vibe?

ZaraCarmichaelshighheels · 30/07/2020 21:10

I just think of George and Mildred

janetmendoza · 30/07/2020 21:11

I couldn't be doing with Mildred. Is Millicent any better?

Captnip500 · 30/07/2020 21:12

Have you considered Millicent? I think it’s much prettier.

Milldred just makes me think of mildew.