Mills

“Son of the mill; also refers to a mill worker or someone living near a mill.” — Symbolize a connection to rustic life or h

American origin · Unisex name

♂ 94% boys♀ 6% girls

#3458US 2023

34Births / yr

↑Rising

783All-time births

📅 Since 201300

How to pronounce Mills

MILZ

/ˈmɪlz/ · stress on MILZ · 1 syllable

“Son of the mill; also refers to a mill worker or someone living near a mill.”

Symbolize a connection to rustic life or h · American origin

What does Mills mean and where does it come from?

Mills is traditionally a surname that has been adopted as a first name, reflecting a growing trend to use surnames as given names. Its usage as a first name is relatively novel, appearing most prominently in the United States in recent decades. The name can symbolize a connection to rustic life or h

Cultural significance

Mills has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of son of the mill; also refers to a mill worker or someone living near a mill..

Peak popularity

Reached #9104 in 2018 — currently #3458 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Mills?

Mills works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Mills Grace

How popular is Mills right now?

Rising fast — up 932 spots — currently #3458 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 2015–2023#3458 · Top 2.6%

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#3458	34	▲ up 932 · +42% births
2022	#4390	24	▼ down 1112 · -33% births
2021	#3278	36	▲ up 10085 · +500% births
2020	#13363	6	▼ down 2489 · -33% births
2015	#10874	9	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Mills

Best Year2021Rank #3278

Peak Count36

Average Rank#7073

Current Trend→Stable

Data Range2015 - 20235 years

The story of Mills

Mills is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 2013. With 783 total births recorded, Mills remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #10874 in 2015 to #3458 in 2023. Mills is used for both genders: 6% female and 94% male.

Names that peaked alongside Mills in 2018:

Emma Olivia Ava Isabella Sophia

Mills by decade

Mills peaked in the 2010s. See all 2010s names →

Decade	Births
1880s	20
1890s	5
1900s	6
1910s	80
1920s	103
1930s	65
1940s	66
1950s	39
1960s	5
1980s	24
1990s	34
2000s	87
2010s ★	214
2020s	35

💎Mills has only 783 total recorded births since 2013 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Mills?

Common

MilMi

What names sound and feel like Mills?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Mills also consider these

Hebrew · A Hebrew name

Milt

American · Mill worker or

Wills

United Kingdom · Resolves, determined

Wells

American · Derived from the

Mims

American · English

Ralls

American · dweller at the

Common questions about the name Mills

What does the name Mills mean?

Mills means "Son of the mill; also refers to a mill worker or someone living near a mill." — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Mills?

Mills is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Mills have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Mills?

Mills originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Mills?

Mills is a one-syllable name pronounced M IH1 L Z. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

How does Mills sound with different last names?

As a one-syllable name, Mills flows best with last names of two or three syllables. Avoid last names ending in the same sound as Mills ends, as this can create an unwanted rhyme. Test by saying the full name out loud several times.