A 1960s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Missy since 1943
Babies named Missy per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 54 |
| 1950s | 586 |
| 1960s | 2,362 |
| 1970s | 1,406 |
| 1980s | 760 |
| 1990s | 247 |
| 2000s | 145 |
| 2010s | 115 |
| 2020s | 101 |
Meaning & origin
Missy first entered the U.S. baby name records in 1943, rising to its peak rank of 1967 before declining. Since 2016, however, it has been rising again, reflecting a revival of mid-20th-century names. In 2025, Missy ranked 5,722, with approximately 1 in 76,537 newborn girls receiving the name. The name's trajectory shows a renewed interest in classic nickname names. While no single state has a notably high concentration of Missys, the name saw its greatest popularity in the 1960s. Missy remains a familiar yet uncommon choice, often associated with the independent use of traditional diminutives.
Missy originated as a diminutive of Melissa, which comes from the Greek melissa (honeybee). It has been used as an independent given name in English-speaking countries since the 20th century, particularly in the United States where it peaked in popularity during the 1960s.
Where Missy is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Missy” around the world
Where Missy lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Miss, Miz
Sibling names for Missy
Names that share Missy's style, for a brother or sister.
