I’ve recently started falling for these long, M names that are a bit matronly.
[name_f]Millicent[/name_f] feels like all the parts of [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] that I used to love without all the popularity that I don’t. I could definitely imagine a little [name_f]Millicent[/name_f], it’s soft and delicate while still feeling strong and not whispy.
I know a preschool aged [name_f]Marjorie[/name_f] so that has shaped my opinion a bit… But it feels outside the current name stratosphere while also being familiar and spunky.
[name_f]Mildred[/name_f] is the one that I’m least sure about… It was my grandmother’s name and I’ve always put various “[name_f]Millie[/name_f]” names down as honor names for her, but the actual name does feel a bit heavy. It is one of the most obvious honor names that I seem to always look past.
Initial opinions on these? A ranking of the three? Ideas for middles or siblings? Disorganized commentary? I’ll take whatever you have:)
([name_m]Feel[/name_m] free to take my personal thoughts about [name_f]Mildred[/name_f] out of the equation and just comment on the name itself, also I don’t plan to be naming anyone for at least 5 years so take those notes into account if at all helpful.)
Marjorie: agree with you that it’s familiar but not overly used, I like how upbeat it is, and I find it refreshing. Feels the least matronly to me.
Millicent: reminds me of a form of measurement/a bug if I’m honest but I appreciate the meaning it has for you and how soft but strong it feels. For me, it’s a bit more buttoned up than the carefree [name_f]Marjorie[/name_f]. I think it’s a good way to achieve [name_f]Millie[/name_f] as a nn so you retain the familial through-line while giving the child their own identity
Mildred: despite the sweet family connection to the name, I can’t help but think of mildew and dread so I would agree it is a bit heavy. I also like the idea of giving a child their own name with some connection to a relative rather than the same name (see [name_f]Millicent[/name_f] nn [name_f]Millie[/name_f] above)
I think my opinion on [name_f]Marjorie[/name_f] could change, but it’s not there for me yet. I love [name_f]Millicent[/name_f], I love [name_f]Mildred[/name_f] but slightly more tentatively (it sounds like mildew, but I don’t really mind anymore).
Here are a bunch of names that have similar vibes to me:
[name_f]Elspeth[/name_f]
[name_f]Ethel[/name_f]
[name_f]Martha[/name_f]
[name_f]Florence[/name_f] (but less, because [name_f]Florence[/name_f] is ridiculously popular atm)
[name_f]Maude[/name_f]
[name_f]Agnes[/name_f]
[name_f]Agatha[/name_f]
[name_f]Theodora[/name_f]
[name_f]Winifred[/name_f]
[name_f]Enid[/name_f]
[name_f]Edith[/name_f]
[name_f]Gertrude[/name_f]
[name_f]Prudence[/name_f]
[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f]
[name_m]Linus[/name_m]
[name_m]Rupert[/name_m]
[name_m]Phineas[/name_m]
[name_m]Chester[/name_m]
[name_m]Albert[/name_m]
[name_m]Wilfred[/name_m]
[name_m]Wilbur[/name_m]
I love the sound of [name_f]Millicent[/name_f], indifferent to [name_f]Marjorie[/name_f] and [name_f]Mildred[/name_f] is just not my cup of tea, feels dated.
[name_f]Millicent[/name_f]: This doesn’t sound stuffy or dated to me at all ! It feels like [name_f]Winifred[/name_f] or [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f], definitely vintage but back in style though not quite trendy. Plus the obvious nickname [name_f]Millie[/name_f] is adorable and sweet
[name_f]Marjorie[/name_f]: I personally really like it! I think it has such a cheerful, spring-like sound, it makes me think of flowers and sunshine. It has a lot of more ‘‘modern’’ nicknames too like [name_f]Mae[/name_f], [name_u]Jorie[/name_u] and [name_u]Rory[/name_u] which helps, though I have a soft spot for [name_f]Margie[/name_f].
[name_f]Mildred[/name_f]: I don’t think it’s ready for a revival just yet, but I think it eventually deserves one. Yes, mildew and dread sound similar, but so did they in 1920, when it was in the top 10. I think it’s one of those names that feel really sturdy, yet with a surprising softness. Plus nn [name_f]Millie[/name_f] helps a lot. I also adore the meaning of gentle strength, it summarizes the name perfectly.
I like [name_f]Marjorie[/name_f]. I think it has comeback potential. It has the same “three-syllable-ending-in-y/ie” rhythm as contemporary names like [name_f]Emily[/name_f], [name_f]Elodie[/name_f] and [name_f]Natalie[/name_f]. I also like the herbal connection (marjoram). The only downside is the nickname [name_f]Marge[/name_f], which I do not love. I would probably use [name_f]Mari[/name_f] instead.
Millicent is an interesting name. It reminds me of [name_f]Millicent[/name_f] Fawcett. It’s not my cup of tea, but it’s very unusual and has a Victorian air. (I do really like the [name_u]French[/name_u] form [name_f]Melisande[/name_f], but it has a completely different, fantasy-ish vibe for me.)
Mildred is not a name that appeals to me. I guess it’s the “dread” sound. I find it rather heavy and old-fashioned. However, if there was a cool young celebrity with this name then my opinion might change. Imagines if [name_f]Megan[/name_f] Thee Stallion was called [name_f]Mildred[/name_f] Thee Stallion
Millicent, [name_f]Marjorie[/name_f], [name_f]Mildred[/name_f], oh my! Yes, I love these names and love your apt description of them being a bit matronly. Apparently, I like matronly names.
Millicent does have a delicate feel to it. I always thought sisters named [name_f]Millicent[/name_f] and [name_f]Florence[/name_f] would be nice. [name_f]Millie[/name_f] and [name_f]Florrie[/name_f].
Marjorie, my grandmother’s name, is strong. I love [name_f]Mar[/name_f], [name_f]Mara[/name_f], and [name_u]Orie[/name_u] as nns.
Mildred is not a pretty name. But man is it gutsy!
I like:
[name_f]Millicent[/name_f] [name_f]Florence[/name_f]
[name_f]Marjorie[/name_f] [name_u]Louise[/name_u]
[name_f]Marjorie[/name_f] [name_f]Rosamund[/name_f]
[name_f]Mildred[/name_f] [name_f]Hope[/name_f]
Millicent - I think it could come back because of the [name_f]Millie[/name_f] nickname. That makes it feel more accessible to me. I think [name_f]Millicent[/name_f] would pair well with another vintage name like [name_f]Florence[/name_f], [name_f]Henrietta[/name_f], or [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f].
Marjorie - This feels quite dated to me, but maybe in a few years it will start to come back? [name_u]Taylor[/name_u] [name_m]Swift[/name_m] released a song by this name last night (I believe it’s about her grandmother?) so maybe that will help people see it in a fresh light! The nicknames [name_f]Mara[/name_f] or [name_f]Mari[/name_f] are really sweet.
Mildred - I don’t see [name_f]Mildred[/name_f] making a comeback, sorry - it’s that “dred” sound at the end that gets me. The first part “[name_f]Mil[/name_f]” is really sweet! I think it could be used as an honor middle name, otherwise I would probably use another [name_f]Millie[/name_f] name. I just worry a girl wouldn’t want to be called [name_f]Mildred[/name_f] these days - I know I wouldn’t, personally.
[quote=“[name_u]Harvest[/name_u]-[name_u]Endellion[/name_u], post:8, topic:361455”]
sisters named Millicent and Florence would be nice. Millie and Florrie.
[/quote]
Oh, I love this idea😍
[quote=“[name_u]Harvest[/name_u]-[name_u]Endellion[/name_u], post:8, topic:361455”]
[name_f]Mildred[/name_f] is not a pretty name. But man is it gutsy!
[/quote]
I have seen people say “names like [name_f]Ethel[/name_f] and [name_f]Mildred[/name_f]” a few times and I really like [name_f]Ethel[/name_f]. I want to be that gutsy person and go for [name_f]Mildred[/name_f], but gosh she’s a tough one.
I’ve always loooved [name_f]Marjorie[/name_f], but it does worry me as it is a bit dated. Also, the likeness to margarine does dissuade me. Nonetheless, [name_f]Marjorie[/name_f] would be a fresh and delightfully merry name to bestow your child
The others aren’t my style, so [name_f]Marjorie[/name_f] wins for me!
I prefer [name_f]Ethel[/name_f] to [name_f]Mildred[/name_f] though. [name_f]Ethel[/name_f] is lovely. I like [name_f]Ethel[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] as a double barrel name.
Honestly, I find all of them a little dated and stuffy, they’re not my cup of tea! I think they’ll come back eventually though, but not just yet. I do think [name_f]Millie[/name_f] really helps to soften [name_f]Millicent[/name_f] and [name_f]Mildred[/name_f], but for [name_f]Marjorie[/name_f] I think the obvious nicknames just age it more.
[name_f]Millicent[/name_f] - I don’t consider this to be a grandma name like the other two, and actually think it fits with other names that are being revived ([name_f]Agnes[/name_f], [name_f]Maude[/name_f], [name_f]Maeve[/name_f], etc.) I think it’s heavily underrated which sucks since the nn [name_f]Millie[/name_f] is so cute
[name_f]Marjorie[/name_f] - I like it as an alternative for [name_u]Marie[/name_u], a popular middle name people tend to overuse, I see the appeal but don’t really see it coming back (maybe a push from pop culture? I think if it was presented as a [name_f]Princess[/name_f] or [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u] like heroine I could see it rise)
[name_f]Mildred[/name_f] - I think this one has potential to come back, I see the appeal given how much I like names like [name_f]Hilda[/name_f] and so do other people, [name_f]Mildred[/name_f] would work however I personally don’t see the appeal I do think this one too grandma-ish
I wouldn’t mind being doomed to eternal knitting needles!
Just thought of this. [name_f]Millay[/name_f] for American poet [name_f]Edna[/name_f] St. [name_m]Vincent[/name_m] [name_f]Millay[/name_f]. [name_f]Millay[/name_f] could be an homage to her as a nn for [name_f]Millicent[/name_f] or [name_f]Mildred[/name_f].
I don’t like [name_f]Mildred[/name_f] as the second syllable is a homophone for “dread”
I think that [name_f]Marjorie[/name_f] could potentially be ready for a revival, but [name_f]Marge[/name_f] is stuck in the past. I like the idea of [name_u]Jorie[/name_u] as a more up to date nickname.
Millicent is really sweet, I’m always surprised it’s not more popular because it fits in with lots of other comeback names and is the most straightforward full name for [name_f]Millie[/name_f]. It has that cute old fashioned appeal without being clunky.
Marjorie is cute and definitely has some old-fashioned spunk, I could totally picture it on a modern kid. It definitely does feel more dated and dusty than [name_f]Millicent[/name_f], and I don’t like the lack of good nicknames.
I’ve always liked [name_f]Mildred[/name_f], it’s definitely quite dated and a little clunky but I think it’s cute. I would likely choose [name_f]Millicent[/name_f] over [name_f]Mildred[/name_f], though.
