Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Minnie
GirlEnglish, Germanic· “diminutive of Wilhelmina or Mary”
- Meaning
- diminutive of Wilhelmina or Mary
- Origin
- English, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- MIN-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,060
- US babies 2025
- 54
- Best rank
- #5 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1916
Meaning and origin of Minnie
Minnie is an English and Germanic name that means “diminutive of Wilhelmina or Mary”.
Minnie began as a diminutive of Wilhelmina, the feminine of William, "resolute protector," and it was also used as a pet form of Mary. It was very popular in the nineteenth century. Minnie Mouse, Walt Disney's cartoon character, made the name world famous. It is said MIN-ee. Wilhelmina, Mina and Minna are related names. Today it appears among vintage nickname names such as Millie and Hattie, often as a nickname for a longer formal name.
Popularity over time
Minnie has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 92 different years. Its best national rank was #5 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1916, when 3,274 were named Minnie. In 2025, 54 babies were named Minnie, and it ranked #3,060 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #87 in 1920, #258 in 1950, #1,632 in 1980, #4,046 in 2000, #4,009 in 2010, and #3,060 in 2025. Of the 159,280 US girls named Minnie since records began, 17% were born in the 1910s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 26,905 babies. Since 2010, 929 more have been named Minnie.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Jennie, Lena, Mabel, Blanche, and Bessie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Minnie ranked highest in Oklahoma, Utah, and Texas.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Minnie is usually pronounced MIN-ee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-ie”.
Middle names for Minnie
A few middle names that flow with Minnie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Minnie
Similar names
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Lists that include Minnie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Minnie mean?
Minnie is an English and Germanic name that means “diminutive of Wilhelmina or Mary”.
What is the origin of the name Minnie?
Minnie has English and Germanic roots. Minnie began as a diminutive of Wilhelmina, the feminine of William, "resolute protector," and it was also used as a pet form of Mary.
Is Minnie a popular name?
Not especially. Minnie ranked #3,060 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Minnie a boy or girl name?
Minnie is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Minnie?
Minnie is usually pronounced MIN-ee. 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