Missy

♀ Girl

Pronounced MISS-ee /ˈmɪs.i/High

Meaning: A pet form — variously of Melissa ('a honeybee', Greek) and Millicent ('strong in work', Germanic) — and the affectionate 'little miss'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A little miss; a honeybee: Missy pets Melissa/Millicent. Sweet, friendly, and warm.

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Origin LowEnglish, Greek

MeaningA pet form — variously of Melissa ('a honeybee', Greek) and Millicent ('strong in work', Germanic) — and the affectionate 'little miss'; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#5850 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births21 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1967

Total births (all-time)≈ 5,755

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

Missy is a pet form — variously of Melissa, Greek 'a honeybee', and Millicent, Germanic 'strong in work' — and an affectionate form of 'little miss' (routes layered, which we note). A sweet, friendly nickname-name (the rapper Missy Elliott made it iconic; the full name is often Melissa).

It registers thinly as a formal name. Rare on its own, a-little-miss-or-a-honeybee at the (layered) root, and friendly.

Did you know? Missy is variously a pet of Melissa ('a honeybee', Greek) and Millicent ('strong in work', Germanic) — and the affectionate 'little miss' — a sweet, friendly name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'MISS-ee').

Overall data confidence 48%

References — Missy — routes layered

Variations

MelissaMillicentMissie

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Missy…

Melissa— a name it pets

Mandy— another sweet pet-name girls' name

Maisy— another Greek name

Betsy— echoes that soft -sy sound

Kelsy— a fellow English choice

Explore names like Missy

By themeuncertain english greek nickname-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Missy mean?

Missy pets Melissa ('a honeybee') and Millicent, and means 'little miss'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Missy?

It's said MISS-ee /ˈmɪs.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Missy a boy or girl name?

Missy is a girl's name.

How popular is Missy?

Missy is a rare name in the U.S.