Milca
Hebrew feminine name meaning "queen" or "tender", possibly derived from the Hebrew word "malka".
Name Census estimates that about 553 living Americans carry the first name Milca. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Milca today is around 24 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Milca births was 2003 (37 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Milca. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
553
~ 1 in 619,809 Americans
Peak year
2003
37 babies that year
Average age
24
years old
2022 SSA rank
#11,890
Tracked since 1958
Popularity
Milca: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Milca from the 1950s through to the 2020s, spanning 8 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 256 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Milca by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Milca during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Milcas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 3 states and territories. California, Texas, Florida recorded the most babies named Milca, while Florida, Texas, California recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 47 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Milca
The name Milca is rooted in the ancient Hebrew language and culture, with its origins dating back to biblical times. It is believed to be derived from the Hebrew word "melekh," which means "king," indicating a regal or noble connotation.
In the Old Testament, Milca is mentioned as the name of one of the daughters of Haran, the brother of Abraham. Although her role in the biblical narrative is relatively minor, her name has endured throughout the centuries, carrying a sense of ancient heritage and tradition.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Milca can be found in the Book of Genesis, where she is mentioned as the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother. This reference dates back to around the 18th century BCE, solidifying the name's antiquity and connection to Abrahamic faiths.
While the name Milca may not have been widely popular throughout history, it has been borne by a few notable figures. In the 12th century, Milca de Verdun was a prominent noblewoman from the Duchy of Burgundy, known for her involvement in the affairs of the Cistercian Order.
Another notable bearer of the name was Milca Eldridge (1887-1957), an American educator and civil rights activist who dedicated her life to promoting educational opportunities for African Americans in the early 20th century.
In the realm of literature, Milca Economopoulos (1888-1976) was a Greek novelist and poet who gained recognition for her works exploring themes of love, loss, and the human condition.
Additionally, Milca Villegas (1909-1981) was a Colombian politician and feminist activist who played a significant role in advocating for women's rights and gender equality in her country.
The name Milca has also been carried by individuals in various other fields, such as Milca Vásquez, a Venezuelan artist known for her vibrant and expressive paintings, and Milca Peña, a Chilean journalist and television presenter.
While the name Milca may not have achieved widespread popularity globally, its rich historical roots and connections to ancient Hebrew culture have ensured its enduring presence throughout the centuries, serving as a testament to the enduring influence of biblical names and their ability to transcend time and cultural boundaries.
People
Milca + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Milca as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Milca: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Milca?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 553 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Milca going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 619,809 US residents.
Is Milca a common name?
We classify Milca as "Very Rare". It ranks above 85.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 569 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Milca most popular?
The single biggest year for Milca was 2003, when 37 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Milca is about 24 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Milca a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Milca in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.