Misty Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Misty originates from the English word for a thin fog or haze. It evolved from the word 'mist' and became a popular given name in the 20th century, particularly in the United States. The name is associated with natural imagery and has a whimsical connotation. It does not have biblical relevance, and its popularity rose significantly during the 1960s and 1970s. Common variants include Mistee and Misty-Ann, and it is currently perceived as a name for free-spirited individuals. Notable people with this name include Misty Copeland, Misty May-Treanor, and Misty Lee.
The name Misty is most popular in Wyoming, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Misty has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Misty' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3270th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6911th out of 16616 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 7452nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1044th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 111th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 167th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1363rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3904th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Misty' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Misty"
Pronunciation
/ˈmɪsti/
Origin
English
Etymology
The name Misty is derived from the English word 'mist', which refers to a thin fog or haze. It gained popularity as a given name in the 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Meaning
mist, fog
Language Evolution
Mist, Misty
Historical Usage
Misty became popular as a feminine name during the 1960s and 1970s, often associated with the natural imagery of misty landscapes.
Variants & Derivatives
Mistee, Misty-Ann
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Misty is perceived as a whimsical and nature-inspired name, often associated with a free-spirited personality.
Famous People
Misty Copeland, Misty May-Treanor, Misty Lee
Explore More Misty Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Misty"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Misty"
"Misty" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3270th of 10718 | 157 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6911th of 16616 | 80 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 7452nd of 9204 | 14 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1044th of 12526 | 1,846 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 111th of 19264 | 51,667 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 167th of 27321 | 28,118 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1363rd of 35406 | 2,512 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 3904th of 30306 | 462 |
Regional Popularity of "Misty" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
60.83% 2140th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
55.60% 2888th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Misty" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
37.31% 831st/2227 |
54.49% 1324th/2430 |
32.21% 919th/2853 |
26.02% 722nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
4.15% 122nd/2937 |
10.02% 349th/3483 |
1.71% 60th/3518 |
2.62% 106th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
4.78% 176th/3685 |
10.10% 452nd/4475 |
2.16% 112th/5194 |
3.48% 220th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
33.09% 1516th/4582 |
46.09% 2380th/5164 |
16.93% 1238th/7313 |
18.49% 1380th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
93.17% 3712th/3984 |
- |
56.39% 3847th/6822 |
52.33% 3284th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Misty"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Misty" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.