Milly

Milly is a familiar form traditionally associated with Mildred and Millicent. Those longer names have different roots: Mildred is associated with gentleness and strength, while Millicent belongs to a Germanic name family connected with work and strength. Milly can honor either name, but the two explanations should not be combined into one translation.

Millie is the closest spelling alternative, replacing the final y with ie. Both forms have a history as affectionate shortenings and as complete given names. A family choosing Milly may want the everyday form of an older relative’s name on the birth certificate itself, preserving that connection without requiring the longer Mildred or Millicent.