Declining since 1985.
Popularity of Misti since 1952
Babies named Misti per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 34 |
| 1960s | 914 |
| 1970s | 4,204 |
| 1980s | 2,471 |
| 1990s | 576 |
| 2000s | 112 |
| 2010s | 13 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Misti is a modern English respelling of Misty, a word name that evokes imagery of fog and gentle rain. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1952, gaining traction through the 1960s and 1970s. The spelling Misti peaked in 1975, a year when the base form Misty also saw widespread use. Since 1985, its trajectory has been steadily falling, reflecting a broader shift away from 1970s-style names. While it never broke into the top 1000 nationally, Misti has a distinctively retro feel, typical of the fashion for creative spellings in that era.
Misti is a modern English respelling of Misty, which itself derives from the English vocabulary word meaning 'covered with mist.' The name Misty gained popularity in the mid-20th century, influenced perhaps by the 1959 film 'Misty' or the 1960s song 'Misty' popularized by Johnny Mathis. Misti emerged as a variant spelling, possibly to give the name a more distinctive look while retaining the same pronunciation. It saw modest use in the 1970s but has since declined.
Where Misti 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Missy
Variants: Misty
Sibling names for Misti
Names that share Misti's style, for a brother or sister.
