Mills Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Mills is an Old English surname derived from the word for 'mill', indicating an occupational origin. Over time, it evolved through various forms in the English language. The name is associated with industriousness and community, reflecting its roots in agrarian society. There is no biblical relevance linked to the name. Its popularity surged in the medieval period and continues to be recognized today, often associated with notable individuals.
The name Mills is most popular in South Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Mills has been stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South. Across generations, 'Mills' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2608th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2792nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4234th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 10718th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 9536th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 7516th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 4105th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 10406th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Mills' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Mills"
Pronunciation
/mɪlz/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The surname Mills is derived from the Old English word 'mylen', meaning 'mill'. It originally referred to someone who worked at or lived near a mill.
Meaning
mill
Language Evolution
Mylen (Old English), Mille (Middle English), Mills (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The surname became common in England during the medieval period when surnames began to be adopted based on occupation.
Variants & Derivatives
Mill, Miller, Mille
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Mills is perceived as a traditional surname with a strong historical connection to agrarian society and craftsmanship.
Famous People
Mills Lane (boxing referee and television personality), Mills Godwin (former governor of Virginia), Mills Baker (American banker and businessman)
📊 Mills Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Mills Name Visualizations
✨ Mills Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 58 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 6 US states, with strongest presence in South Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Mills"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Mills"
"Mills" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2608th of 7545 | 158 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2792nd of 6773 | 136 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4234th of 7552 | 59 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 10718th of 10718 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 9536th of 16616 | 37 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 7516th of 24088 | 143 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 4105th of 23106 | 304 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 10406th of 30306 | 111 |
Regional Popularity of "Mills" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
68.67% 5022nd/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
43.23% 2949th/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Mills" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
67.80% 4625th/6822 |
- |
State-by-State Popularity of "Mills"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Mills" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.