Millicent

Millicent ~ Industrious ~ German

I have a thing for three-syllable names that begin with M, and Millicent is no exception. Its sweet sound captures some of the flavor of its more popular counterparts like Madeline, Matilda, Michaela, or Melody. But Millicent is more unique and packed with charm. The similarity between the name and the word innocent also adds to our perception of the name, making it on par with a virtue name.


Popularity
Millicent may sound like an "old lady name" at first, because it hasn't seen much popularity in the U.S. since the 1950s. It has even dropped out of the top 1,000 names altogether for the past 45 years. But it's been more popular in Great Britain and Australia, and I think it has lots of potential to appear on the U.S. charts again soon.

The accessible nickname Millie is a major reason for my prediction. Millie was popular in America in the late 1800s, when it shared the spotlight with names like Callie and Nellie. Today, these pioneer names have made a comeback and Millie fits right in. Millie is already making an appearance in the top 1,000 names, and I think it will continue to gain popularity.

While Millicent may be a bit off-beat, it has a sound that's full of frills and charisma. It's a unique choice that is still familiar to most of us. Between that and its irresistible nickname, I think Millicent is a lovely choice.

Meaning
If you look online or through baby name books, you'll find several different interpretations of what Millicent means. The name actually comes from two Germanic words that mean "work" and "strength." I've found the following meanings for the name from 5 different sources:

• highborn power
• noble
• industrious
• ambitious
• mild strength
• brave strength
• strong work
• strong

Whatever interpretation you choose, Millicent has a meaning that conveys strength and diligence. For this feature, I chose the meaning that I felt most aptly describes its roots.

Famous Namesakes
Millicent Rogers, heiress and fashionista
Millicent Martin, English actress and singer
Millicent Fenwick, fashion editor and politician

Characters
Millicent Bulstrode and Millicent Bagnold from Harry Potter
Millicent Huxtable from One Tree Hill
Millicent Bystander from Flushed Away