Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Maisie
GirlScottish, Greek· “pearl; pet form of Margaret”
- Meaning
- pearl; pet form of Margaret
- Origin
- Scottish, Greek
- Pronunciation
- MAY-zee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #233
- US babies 2025
- 1,328
- Best rank
- #233 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Maisie
Maisie is a Scottish and Greek name that means “pearl; pet form of Margaret”.
Maisie is a Scottish pet form of Margaret, through the Gaelic form Mairead, and Margaret comes from the Greek margarites, meaning pearl. It has been used in Scotland for generations and spread across Britain and the English-speaking world. Henry James featured it in his novel What Maisie Knew. Today Maisie is a sweet, lively choice that feels both vintage and fresh. It is often used as a standalone name rather than a nickname. Maisy and Mazie are alternative spellings.
Other spellings with the same sound: Mazie.
Popularity over time
Maisie first appears in US Social Security records in 1890. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 12 different years, starting in 2014. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #233, and its highest count, 1,328 babies. Use has grown 190% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #1,864 in 1920, #5,796 in 1950, #4,879 in 1980, #1,932 in 2000, #1,709 in 2010, and #233 in 2025. Of the 12,954 US girls named Maisie since records began, 47% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 4,200 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Antonella, Cataleya, Nyla, Noa, and Collins.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Maisie ranked highest in Alaska, West Virginia, and Nebraska.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | #66 | 9 |
| West Virginia | #91 | 17 |
| Nebraska | #92 | 22 |
| Wyoming | #96 | 5 |
| North Dakota | #112 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Maisie is usually pronounced MAY-zee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-ie”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Mazie.
Middle names for Maisie
A few middle names that flow with Maisie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Maisie
Similar names
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Lists that include Maisie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maisie mean?
Maisie is a Scottish and Greek name that means “pearl; pet form of Margaret”.
What is the origin of the name Maisie?
Maisie has Scottish and Greek roots. Maisie is a Scottish pet form of Margaret, through the Gaelic form Mairead, and Margaret comes from the Greek margarites, meaning pearl.
Is Maisie a popular name?
Yes. Maisie ranked #233 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Maisie a boy or girl name?
Maisie is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Maisie?
Maisie is usually pronounced MAY-zee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings