"star"
Origin: Hebrew/Persian via Esther
Language: Hebrew
Essie
Pronunciation: [ EHS-ee ]
Does Essie flow with your last name?
Soft, starlit, and unapologetically unconventional.
American
British
Gender-neutral
Vintage
Whimsical
Playful
Gentle
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Essie
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"nickname for Esteban (crowned one)"
Origin: Spanish/Greek via Stephen
Language: Spanish
Browse names with similar meanings:
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Things to Know About This Name
- traditionally a female nickname; may draw questions in conservative communities
The Story of Essie
Essie began as an English pet form of Esther — a Hebrew name meaning star or possibly from the Persian stara (star) — and also of Estelle, from the Latin stella (star). As a female nickname, it was popular in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Its crossover use for boys reflects the 21st-century gender-neutral naming movement, where vintage feminine nicknames are being reclaimed for boys in the same way that Charlie, Billie, and Frankie have crossed over. On the masculine side, Essie can also function as a nickname for Essex (an English county name) or Esteban (Spanish form of Stephen).
Essie as a boy name is part of the broader 2020s trend of soft, vintage, gender-fluid names gaining traction among parents seeking something warm and unconventional. It sits alongside Billie, Frankie, and Bobbie as names that feel both nostalgic and fresh.
In British culture, Essie is a well-understood vintage nickname with a warm, cozy quality. Its use for boys signals an intentional gender-expansive choice rather than an inherited tradition, giving it a modern progressive connotation in most Western contexts.
Historical Record
Essie first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 157 babies have been named Essie in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Essie is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #37,477 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Esther, the root name, appears in the Hebrew Bible as the Jewish queen who saved her people in Persia — one of only two women with a book of the Bible named after her.
- Essie is also a popular nail polish brand founded in 1981 by Essie Weingarten, keeping the name visible in contemporary pop culture.
- The gender-crossover trend for names like Essie mirrors a long historical pattern: many current boys names (Ashley, Evelyn, Lindsay) were once exclusively female.
Essie in Other Languages
Latin (Stella root)
Stella
Hebrew (Esther root)
אֶסְתֵּר
French (Estelle root)
Estelle
Spanish (Esteban connection)
Esteban
Popularity Over Time
#37,477
Current Rank
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Essie with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #37,477
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- American British Gender-neutral
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ez
Es
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, 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
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Essie
8 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Essie is also used as a girl name, ranked #2714.
View Essie as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (American)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Essie
What does the name Essie mean?
"star" (from Hebrew/Persian via Esther). "nickname for Esteban (crowned one)" (from Spanish/Greek via Stephen). Essie began as an English pet form of Esther — a Hebrew name meaning star or possibly from the Persian stara (star) — and also of Estelle, from the Latin stella (star). As a female nickname, it was popular in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Its crossover use for boys reflects the 21st-century gender-neutral naming movement, where vintage feminine nicknames are being reclaimed for boys in the same way that Charlie, Billie, and Frankie have crossed over. On the masculine side, Essie can also function as a nickname for Essex (an English county name) or Esteban (Spanish form of Stephen).
What is the origin of the name Essie?
Essie has Hebrew/Persian via Esther, Spanish/Greek via Stephen, American, British, and Gender-neutral origins. In Hebrew/Persian via Esther, it means "star". In Spanish/Greek via Stephen, it means "nickname for Esteban (crowned one)".
Is Essie a boy or girl name?
Essie is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #37477. As a girl name, it is ranked #2714. Essie is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Essie?
Essie is pronounced EHS-ee.
How popular is the name Essie?
Essie is currently ranked #37477 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Essie?
Popular middle name pairings include Essie James, Essie Cole, Essie River, Essie Grey, Essie August, Essie Lee, Essie Flynn, and Essie Reid.
What are good sibling names for Essie?
Names that pair well with Essie as siblings include Billie, Frankie, Remy, Ezra, Bowie, Ellis, Clem, and Waverly.
How many syllables does Essie have?
Essie has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Essie a common or rare name?
Essie is an uncommon name, ranked #37477 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Essie?
Are there other spellings for Essie?
Related spellings include Essiah.
About the Name Essie
Essie is a boy name with American, British, and Gender-neutral origins . The name means "star" in Hebrew/Persian via Esther .
Is Essie a boy or girl name? Essie is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #37,477 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,714. Essie is more commonly used as a girl name.
Essie is currently ranked #37,477 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Essie has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHS-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Essie include Ez and Es. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Essie include Essiah . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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