"covered in mist, hazy"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Misty
Pronunciation: [ m-IHST-ee ]
Does Misty flow with your last name?
A dreamy American nature name with jazz-era charm
American
English
Whimsical
Playful
Vintage
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"dreamy, ethereal"
Origin: English
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Misty from the Pokémon anime franchise (since 1997) — this can be a selling point for fans
The Story of Misty
Misty is an English word name derived from 'mist' — the atmospheric water droplets that hang between rain and fog. As a name, it evokes dreaminess, mystery, and the soft beauty of a foggy morning. It belongs to the American tradition of using nature words and descriptive adjectives as names, a practice that accelerated in the 20th century with names like Misty, Sandy, Sunny, and Dusty.
Misty peaked in popularity in the United States in the 1970s, driven by the beautiful Erroll Garner jazz standard 'Misty' (1954) and Johnny Mathis's 1959 vocal recording. The name experienced a secondary wave of recognition when the Pokémon character Misty (Kasumi in Japanese) debuted in 1997, introducing the name to a new generation. It's now a vintage name with warm nostalgia.
In American culture, Misty is associated with the soft, atmospheric beauty of misty mornings, country landscapes, and the romance of jazz. The Erroll Garner composition 'Misty' is one of the most recorded songs in jazz history, giving the name an artistic and musical resonance.
Historical Record
Misty first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 84,579 babies have been named Misty in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Misty is past its peak , currently ranked #4,047 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- 'Misty' by Erroll Garner (1954) has been recorded over 200 times and is one of the most covered songs in music history
- Misty (Kasumi) from Pokémon is one of the most recognized fictional Mistys globally
- Misty May-Treanor is one of the greatest beach volleyball players of all time, winning three Olympic gold medals
Misty in Other Languages
French
Misty
Spanish
Misty
Japanese
ミスティ
Popularity Over Time
#4,047
Current Rank
Peaked 1977
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Misty
M
Misty Copeland
Entertainer
1982
American ballet dancer who in 2015 became the first African American woman appointed as principal dancer with the Americ...
American ballet dancer who in 2015 became the first African American woman appointed as principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre
M
Misty May-Treanor
Athlete
1977
American beach volleyball player and three-time Olympic gold medalist (2004, 2008, 2012) with partner Kerri Walsh Jennin...
American beach volleyball player and three-time Olympic gold medalist (2004, 2008, 2012) with partner Kerri Walsh Jennings
M
Misty (Pokémon) Fictional
Other
Fictional character from the Pokémon franchise, water-type gym leader from Cerulean City, companion to Ash Ketchum in th...
Fictional character from the Pokémon franchise, water-type gym leader from Cerulean City, companion to Ash Ketchum in the original anime series
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Compare Misty with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,047
- Total SSA Count
- 36
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Mis
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Misty
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Misty is also used as a boy name, ranked #10348.
View Misty as a boy name →Similar Names
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Welsh (lynn suffix) origin
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Old High German origin
"resolute protector"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Misty
What does the name Misty mean?
"covered in mist, hazy" (from Old English). "dreamy, ethereal" (from English). Misty is an English word name derived from 'mist' — the atmospheric water droplets that hang between rain and fog. As a name, it evokes dreaminess, mystery, and the soft beauty of a foggy morning. It belongs to the American tradition of using nature words and descriptive adjectives as names, a practice that accelerated in the 20th century with names like Misty, Sandy, Sunny, and Dusty.
What is the origin of the name Misty?
Misty has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "covered in mist, hazy". In English, it means "dreamy, ethereal".
Is Misty a boy or girl name?
Misty is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #4047. As a boy name, it is ranked #10348. Misty is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Misty?
Misty is pronounced m-IHST-ee.
How popular is the name Misty?
Misty is currently ranked #4047 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Misty?
Common nicknames for Misty include Mis.
What are good middle names for Misty?
Popular middle name pairings include Misty Dawn, Misty Lynn, Misty Ann, Misty Marie, Misty Lee, and Misty Jo.
What are good sibling names for Misty?
Names that pair well with Misty as siblings include Dusty, Sandy, Brandy, Rusty, Sunny, and Missy.
How many syllables does Misty have?
Misty has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Misty a common or rare name?
Misty is an uncommon name, ranked #4047 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Misty
Misty is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "covered in mist, hazy" in Old English .
Is Misty a boy or girl name? Misty is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #4,047 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #10,348. Misty is more commonly used as a girl name.
Misty is currently ranked #4,047 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Misty has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-IHST-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Misty include Mis. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis