Millicent fits in with the new hot trend of turn-of-the-century chic.
It has the dual appeal of being both a Medieval and Victorian favourite
and can boast the popular Milly as its diminutive.
Origin: |
Millicent is descended from the Old Germanic name Amalaswintha, a compound of amal "work" and swind "strong, brave, powerful". The name aphetically became Malasintha, and by the eleventh century was latinised in forms such as Milesindis, Milesendis and Melisenda. |
Usage: |
One of the earliest, and most notable bearers of the name, was Queen Amalasuintha (c.495—534), daughter and sole heir of Theodoric the Great, King of the Ostragoths, who acted as regent for her son on the death of her father in the 6th century. History later records Queen Melisande (1105—1161), the eldest daughter of Baldwin II of Jerusalem, reigned as queen from 1131 to 1153, and acted as regent for her son from 1153 to 1161. The name, in the form Melisande and Melisenda, was used throughout medieval Europe. It was introduced to Britain by the Normans. By this time the name had become rendered into the Old French forms Melisent, Milesent, Melisant and Milisent. Several examples of the first name can be found as early as the 12th century and many even became used as surnames. (Millicent is still used as a surname). The spellings Milicent is found as early as the 13th century, but wasn't popularly spelt Millicent until the 15th. It has been estimated that Millicent was within the forty most popular feminine names (#37) from 1590 to 1599*. Millicent's popularity grew increasingly in the 19th century to become a Victorian favourite. The 1841 UK census list 2,081 women with the name Millicent — still spelt in a variety of forms, but particularly Melicent — and included 201 listed under the diminutive Milly. The number was a very consistent 2,484 on the 1861 UK census (with 189 Millys), but had swelled to 5,179 in 1881 (1,218 Millys). By the 1901 UK census 12,107 were given the name Millicent; an extra 8,295 listed as Milly or Millie. In England and Wales in 1904 Millicent ranked #87, falling to #100 in 1914. It had not been in the Top 100 since. In 1996 the name ranked #448 with 66 births. It peaked in 1998 at #273 when 143 girls were given the name. It has been slowly declining since and, as of 2010, the name ranked #538 with 77 births. In 2011 in Scotland, Millie ranked at #18 (increased from #26 in 2010), Milly ranked #197 and Millicent ranked #539. |
Famous Bearers: |
History: * Dame Millicent Fawcett (1847—1929) was a British suffragist. Contemporary: * Millicent Martin (b.1934), British actress. Literature and Media: * Millicent Margaret Amanda is the main characater in Joyce Lankester Brisley's Milly-Molly-Mandy books. |
Variants: |
Mélisande (French) |
Pronunciation: |
MIL-ə-sənt (UK) [key] |
Possible diminutives: |
Lena, Lillie, Lissa, Lissy, Mena, Milly, Minnie, Missy |
Sibling Names: |
Beatrice Constance Dorothy Agatha Gwendolen Edith |
Name Lists: |
Funky-Clunky Upright Elegance Victorian Darlings Medieval Favourites Harry Potter |
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This post was revised August 2010.