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Missouri

♀ Girl

Pronounced mih-ZOOR-ee /mɪˈzʊɹ.i/Medium

Meaning: Missouri is a place name - a U.S. state and river - taken from the Missouria, a Siouan people whose name is often read as 'people of the big canoes' (via an Illinois word). Used here as a first name; routes to given-name use are uncertain.Low

In 30 seconds: A place name with roots in an Indigenous people: Missouri names a U.S. state and river (said 'mih-ZOOR-ee'). Bold and rare.

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Origin LowEnglish, Native American

MeaningMissouri is a place name - a U.S. state and river - taken from the Missouria, a Siouan people whose name is often read as 'people of the big canoes' (via an Illinois word). Used here as a first name; routes to given-name use are uncertain.

U.S. rank (2025)#12764 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1889

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,602

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Missouri is a U.S. state and river name, drawn from the Missouria, a Siouan people; the word is often glossed 'people of the big canoes.' As a given name it reads as a bold Americana place pick. Its route to first-name use is uncertain, which we note. Rare (said 'mih-ZOOR-ee').

As a first name it appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, place-name, and bold.

Did you know? Missouri, the state and river, takes its name from the Missouria people - often read as 'people of the big canoes' - and is worn now and then as a bold place name, which we note (said 'mih-ZOOR-ee').

Overall data confidence 42%

References - Missouri — U.S. place name; from the Missouria (Siouan) people

Variations

MissouraMisouri

Nicknames

MissyZuri

Famous Bearers

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Missouri mean?

Missouri is a U.S. state and river name, from the Missouria people - often read as 'people of the big canoes.'

How do you pronounce Missouri?

It's said mih-ZOOR-ee /mɪˈzʊɹ.i/ - three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Missouri a boy or girl name?

Missouri is a place name used here for a girl; it is rare either way.

How popular is Missouri?

Missouri is a very rare name in the U.S.