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Hattie

♀ Girl

Pronounced HAT-ee /ˈhæt.i/High

Meaning: Diminutive of Harriet, the English feminine form of Harry/Henry, from Old German Heimrich, composed of 'heim' (home) and 'ric' (power, ruler) — meaning 'ruler of the home' or 'lord of the estate'.High

In 30 seconds: Hattie is the adorable, plucky Victorian diminutive of Harriet — a name that manages to sound both old-fashioned and freshly charming. It belongs to the same vintage revival bringing Nellie, Millie, and Sadie back into nurseries.
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Origin HighOld German, Old French
MeaningDiminutive of Harriet, the English feminine form of Harry/Henry, from Old German Heimrich, composed of 'heim' (home) and 'ric' (power, ruler) — meaning 'ruler of the home' or 'lord of the estate'.
U.S. rank (2025)#334 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births923 girls (0.05% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1918
Total births (all-time)≈ 105,192

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191818802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Hattie is a pet form of Harriet, the English feminine form of Harry, which is a medieval English vernacular form of Henry. Henry derives from Old German Heimrich, composed of heim (home) and ric (power or ruler). Harriet itself became common in eighteenth-century England as a formal name, and Hattie was its frequent informal companion.

Hattie was a popular given name in the Victorian and Edwardian eras in England and the United States, often used as a standalone name rather than merely a nickname. It fell from fashion in the mid-twentieth century but has experienced a strong vintage revival since the 2000s. Today it ranks in the US top 300 and top 100 in England and Wales, embraced by parents drawn to Victorian-era charm names like Millie, Nellie, Sadie, and Bea.

Did you know? Hattie McDaniel made history in 1940 as the first Black American to win an Academy Award — for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind — and her Hattie remains one of the most historically significant bearers of any vintage name.
Overall data confidence 90%
Oxford Dictionary of First Names — Etymology of Harriet and diminutive HattieSocial Security Administration Name Data — US popularity and revival trend data

Variations

HarrietHatty

Nicknames

Hat

Famous Bearers

  • ★Hattie McDaniel (1893–1952)
    American actress, first Black American to win an Academy Award (1940) for Gone with the Wind.

If you like Hattie…

Nellie— Victorian-era diminutive-as-standalone-name with the same charming, vintage revival energy
Millie— diminutive-style Victorian name enjoying the exact same modern renaissance as Hattie
Sadie— Victorian-era pet name used as a standalone that shares Hattie's plucky, warm character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Hattie mean?

Hattie means 'ruler of the home', as a diminutive of Harriet, from Old German Heimrich (heim = home, ric = ruler).

How do you pronounce Hattie?

Hattie is pronounced HAT-ee (/ˈhæt.i/), two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Hattie a boy or girl name?

Hattie is a girl's name.

How popular is Hattie?

Hattie is in the US top 300 and the UK top 100 girls' names, part of the Victorian name revival that includes Millie, Nellie, and Sadie.