Missy
Missy is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Young girl or bee (derived as a diminutive of Melissa).
Origin and history
Missy originated as an English diminutive of Melissa or as an informal term derived from the noun 'miss'. It achieved notable popularity in the United States during the mid-to-late 20th century as a standalone given name. Today, it remains an familiar, casual name, though used less frequently for newborns.
Popularity in the United States
5,776 babies in the United States have been named Missy since 1880. It ranks #2244 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2000.
States where it is most popular
- TX (15.1 %)
- OH (11.3 %)
- CA (9.1 %)
- IL (5.9 %)
- TN (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 54 |
| 1950-1960 | 586 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,362 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,406 |
| 1980-1990 | 760 |
| 1990-2000 | 247 |
| 2000-2010 | 145 |
| 2010-2019 | 115 |
| 2020-2029 | 101 |
Famous people named Missy
- Missy Elliott: Rapper, Songwriter
- Missy Franklin: Swimmer, Olympian
- Missy Peregrym: Actress
Fun facts
- Missy began as a pet name for Melissa—which means 'bee' in Greek—or as a term of endearment for a young girl.
- While originally used informally, Missy became an official standalone first name in the United States in the mid-20th century.