"pearl"
Origin: Greek via Scottish
Language: English
Maisie
Pronunciation: [ m-AYZ-ee ]
Does Maisie flow with your last name?
Scotland's pearl — vintage charm with modern bounce
Scottish
English
Irish
Whimsical
Vintage
Playful
Gentle
Charming
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"child of light"
Origin: Scottish diminutive tradition
Language: Scottish
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The Story of Maisie
Maisie is the Scottish pet form of Margaret, which derives from the Greek 'margarites,' meaning pearl. The name has been used in Scotland for centuries as an affectionate diminutive, eventually gaining independent status as a given name. It carries all the charm of old Scotland — warm, unpretentious, and slightly whimsical.
Maisie enjoyed a major boost from Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams (who played Arya Stark), introduced to millions worldwide from 2011 onward. The name was already rising in the UK due to a broader trend toward Victorian-era nicknames becoming standalone names.
In Scotland, Maisie has long been a beloved informal name, part of a tradition of using diminutives (like Elsie, Jessie, Bessie) as full given names. Henry James chose Maisie for the protagonist of his 1897 novel 'What Maisie Knew,' giving it literary prestige.
Historical Record
Maisie first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 10,925 babies have been named Maisie in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Maisie is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #255 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Maisie is a Scottish form of Margaret, meaning pearl — the same root as Margaux and Margareta
- Maisie Williams played Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, bringing the name international attention
- Henry James wrote 'What Maisie Knew' in 1897, giving the name early literary prestige
Maisie in Other Languages
French
Marguerite
German
Margarete
Italian
Margherita
Spanish
Margarita
Scottish Gaelic
Mairead
Popularity Over Time
#255
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Maisie
M
M
M
Maisie Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Henry James's 1897 novel 'What Maisie Knew,' a perceptive child navigating her parents' divorce
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Compare Maisie with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #255
- Total SSA Count
- 1,241
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish English Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mais
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Maisie
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Scottish)
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Latin origin
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Germanic origin
"whole, universal"
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Irish Gaelic origin
"little darling, pretty one"
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Irish O Cuinn origin
"descendant of Conn"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Maisie
What does the name Maisie mean?
"pearl" (from Greek via Scottish). "child of light" (from Scottish diminutive tradition). Maisie is the Scottish pet form of Margaret, which derives from the Greek 'margarites,' meaning pearl. The name has been used in Scotland for centuries as an affectionate diminutive, eventually gaining independent status as a given name. It carries all the charm of old Scotland — warm, unpretentious, and slightly whimsical.
What is the origin of the name Maisie?
Maisie has Greek via Scottish, Scottish diminutive tradition, Scottish, English, and Irish origins. In Greek via Scottish, it means "pearl". In Scottish diminutive tradition, it means "child of light".
Is Maisie a boy or girl name?
Maisie is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Maisie?
Maisie is pronounced m-AYZ-ee.
How popular is the name Maisie?
Maisie is currently ranked #255 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Maisie?
Common nicknames for Maisie include Mais.
What are good middle names for Maisie?
Popular middle name pairings include Maisie Rose, Maisie Jane, Maisie Lou, Maisie Kate, Maisie Grace, Maisie Bea, and Maisie Clare.
What are good sibling names for Maisie?
Names that pair well with Maisie as siblings include Archie, Angus, Flora, Isla, Ewan, Nell, and Rory.
How many syllables does Maisie have?
Maisie has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Maisie a common or rare name?
Maisie is a popular name, ranked #255 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Maisie?
About the Name Maisie
Maisie is a girl name with Scottish, English, and Irish origins . The name means "pearl" in Greek via Scottish .
Maisie is currently ranked #255 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Maisie has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-AYZ-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Maisie include Mais. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Maisie include Maisy, Maisyn, Maisey, Maisley . 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