Minnie

“Of the sea, or bitter”

English origin · Unisex name

♂ 0% boys♀ 100% girls

#1173US 2023

1kBirths / yr

→Stable

159.8kAll-time births

📅 Since 1880🏆 45 years in top 1001.92% of births at peak

How to pronounce Minnie

MIN·ee

/ˈmɪn.iː/ · stress on MIN · 2 syllables

“Of the sea, or bitter”

English origin · Unisex name

What does Minnie mean and where does it come from?

Minnie is often considered a diminutive of the name Minerva or a variation of the name Wilhelmina. While it is historically derived from names that carry noble or might-related meanings, it became particularly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as an affectionate form of the name. The

Cultural significance

Minnie has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in English-speaking communities, where it reflects values of of the sea, or bitter.

Peak popularity

Reached #5 in 1880 — currently #1173 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Minnie?

Minnie works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Minnie Grace

How popular is Minnie right now?

Holding steady — currently #1173 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1880–2023#1173 · Top 0.87%

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#1173	1,027	▲ up 5 · +2% births
2022	#1178	1,007	▲ up 5 · +3% births
2021	#1183	977	▲ up 1265 · +1296% births
2020	#2448	70	▲ up 164 · +3% births
2015	#2612	68	▲ up 1347 · +79% births
2010	#3959	38	▲ up 306 · +19% births
2005	#4265	32	▼ down 286 · +3% births
2000	#3979	31	▼ down 200 · +11% births
1995	#3779	28	▼ down 822 · -26% births
1990	#2957	38	▼ down 1171 · -40% births
1985	#1786	63	▼ down 162 · -11% births
1980	#1624	71	▼ down 414 · -25% births
1975	#1210	95	▼ down 221 · -25% births
1970	#989	126	▼ down 309 · -39% births
1965	#680	208	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Minnie

Best Year1900Rank #22

Peak Count3,270

Average Rank#1284

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1900 - 202328 years

The story of Minnie

Minnie has been a beloved American name for over 144 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1880. It peaked at #5 in 1880, placing it among the top 10 most popular names. More than 159,770 babies have been named Minnie since 1880. Once ranked #5 in 1880, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #1173 in 2023. Minnie is used for both genders: 100% female and 0% male.

Names that peaked alongside Minnie in 1880:

Mary Anna Emma Elizabeth Margaret

Minnie by decade

Minnie peaked in the 1880s. See all 1880s names →

Decade	Births
1880s	21,817
1890s	24,732
1900s	19,806
1910s ★	27,588
1920s	27,051
1930s	16,014
1940s	11,809
1950s	5,954
1960s	2,266
1970s	966
1980s	488
1990s	344
2000s	298
2010s	567
2020s	70

What are good nicknames for Minnie?

Common

MinMiInnie

What names sound and feel like Minnie?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Minnie also consider these

Mindie

English · a delightful girl

Minie

American · A diminutive form

Kinnie

English · A beloved name

Mintie

American · A diminutive of

Winnie

English · fair, blessed

Ginnie

English · noble

Mannie

English · a diminutive of

Mimmie

English · English

How is Minnie written in other languages?

Gender variants of Minnie

Wilhelm ANCIENT GERMANIC Willahelm ANCIENT GERMANIC Gwilherm BRETON Guillem CATALAN Vilim CROATIAN Vilko CROATIAN Vilém CZECH Vilhelm DANISH Jelle DUTCH Pim DUTCH Wil DUTCH Wilhelmus DUTCH Willem DUTCH Willy DUTCH Wim DUTCH Bill ENGLISH Billie ENGLISH Billy ENGLISH Liam ENGLISH Wil ENGLISH Will ENGLISH William ENGLISH Willie ENGLISH Willy ENGLISH Vilĉjo ESPERANTO Vilhelmo ESPERANTO Villem ESTONIAN Jami FINNISH Vilhelm FINNISH Vilhelmi FINNISH Vilho FINNISH Vili FINNISH Viljami FINNISH Viljo FINNISH Ville FINNISH Guillaume FRENCH Wilhelm GERMAN Willi GERMAN Willy GERMAN Wim GERMAN Vili HUNGARIAN Vilmos HUNGARIAN Vilhjálmur ICELANDIC Liam IRISH Uilleag IRISH Uilliam IRISH Ulick IRISH Guglielmo ITALIAN Vilhelms LATVIAN Vilis LATVIAN Wöllem LIMBURGISH Wullem LIMBURGISH Wum LIMBURGISH Vilhelmas LITHUANIAN Illiam MANX Wiremu MAORI Wilkin MEDIEVAL ENGLISH Wilky MEDIEVAL ENGLISH Wilmot MEDIEVAL ENGLISH Vilhelm NORWEGIAN Wilhelm POLISH Guilherme PORTUGUESE Uilleam SCOTTISH Viliam SLOVAK Vili SLOVENE Viljem SLOVENE Vilko SLOVENE Guillermo SPANISH Vilhelm SWEDISH Ville SWEDISH Gwil WELSH Gwilim WELSH Gwillym WELSH Gwilym WELSH Liam ENGLISH Wilkie ENGLISH Willis ENGLISH Wilson ENGLISH

Common questions about the name Minnie

What does the name Minnie mean?

Minnie means "Of the sea, or bitter" — a name rooted in English tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Minnie?

Minnie is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is holding steady in popularity, a reliable classic that parents consistently choose.

What is the cultural origin of Minnie?

Minnie originates from English tradition. English names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Minnie?

Minnie is a two-syllable name pronounced M IH1 N IY0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Minnie a common or rare name?

Minnie is a distinctive choice that balances familiarity with individuality. It strikes a balance between standing out and fitting in.