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Missy

Girl name · 10 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Missy: 10 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 4 births in 2009.

Originally a diminutive of Melissa—the Greek name meaning "honey bee"—Missy has also long served as a playful nickname for Mary or, in American Southern tradition, for a young girl. The name gained widespread recognition through trailblazing rapper Missy Elliott, whose innovative sound reshaped hip-hop, and Olympic swimmer Missy Franklin, hailed as one of the sport's greatest backstrokers. While no major places share the name's root, its friendly, approachable sound has kept it in use as a standalone given name since the mid-20th century. Today, Missy carries a warm, spirited charm—familiar yet distinct, and never quite stuck in any single era.