Essie Girl

Popularity: #901 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ESS-ee /ˈɛsi/

Origin: English; Hebrew

Meaning: English: Diminutive of Esther; Hebrew: Star

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Essie is often considered a diminutive form of the name Esther, which has its roots in the Hebrew language. The Hebrew name Esther (אֶסְתֵּר) is believed to derive from the Persian word "setareh," meaning "star." This connection to light and guidance is significant, as Esther is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Book of Esther, which recounts her story as a Jewish queen of Persia who played a crucial role in saving her people from persecution.

The name Esther was adopted into Greek as "Esther" and later into Latin, maintaining its form through various translations, including the Septuagint and the Vulgate, before entering Old French as "Hester" and eventually becoming Essie in English-speaking contexts. Historically, the name Esther gained prominence during the Middle Ages, particularly among Jewish communities, due to the biblical narrative that emphasizes themes of bravery and identity.

The name was further popularized in Christian contexts through the influence of saints and biblical references. Notably, Esther's story has been celebrated in Jewish tradition during the festival of Purim, which commemorates her courage and the deliverance of the Jewish people.

This cultural resonance has contributed to the enduring appeal of the name and its variants. Essie, as a diminutive, emerged in the 19th century, reflecting a broader trend of creating affectionate or informal versions of names.

The use of diminutives in English often conveys familiarity and endearment, which may explain the charm associated with Essie. The name's connection to Esther and its historical significance within both Jewish and Christian traditions have allowed it to maintain a presence in various cultural narratives, symbolizing resilience and hope.

Famous people named Essie

In this section, you will find notable people named Essie. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Essie who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Essie who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Essie Davis is an actress best known for The Babadook, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, and The Matrix Resurrections.

Essie Mae Washington-Williams was an author and educator best known for her memoirs and being the daughter of Booker T. Washington.

Fictional characters named Essie

The following list of fictional characters named Essie is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Essie is a fictional character from the film and musical Legally Blonde. She is a supportive friend who encourages the protagonist, Elle Woods, throughout her journey.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Essie, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ElsieEttaEvaEmmyEvelynEdie

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Essie. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

EssyEttaElsieEdieEmmyEvelynEstherEvelina

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Essie was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Essie has ranked as high as #330 nationally, which occurred in 1919, and has been most popular in Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

In the past 5 years the name Essie has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Essie is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Essie was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Essie.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 47 0 47
2024 63 0 63
2023 53 0 53
2022 50 0 50
2021 42 0 42
2020 33 0 33
2019 53 0 53
2018 42 0 42
2017 39 0 39
2016 39 0 39
2015 33 0 33
2014 28 0 28
2013 24 0 24
2012 28 0 28
2011 12 0 12
2010 12 0 12
2009 12 0 12
2008 9 0 9
2007 6 0 6
2006 9 0 9
2005 8 0 8
2004 11 0 11
2003 10 0 10
2001 8 0 8
2000 11 0 11
1999 14 0 14
1998 10 0 10
1997 13 0 13
1996 10 0 10
1995 11 0 11
1994 13 0 13
1993 15 0 15
1992 20 0 20
1991 20 0 20
1990 25 0 25
1989 27 5 22
1988 17 0 17
1987 19 0 19
1986 18 0 18
1985 33 0 33
1984 17 0 17
1983 27 5 22
1982 36 5 31
1981 29 0 29
1980 23 0 23
1979 27 0 27
1978 31 0 31
1977 31 0 31
1976 32 0 32
1975 24 0 24
1974 31 0 31
1973 42 0 42
1972 38 0 38
1971 51 0 51
1970 55 7 48
1969 51 0 51
1968 60 0 60
1967 60 5 55
1966 69 6 63
1965 84 0 84
1964 102 9 93
1963 124 0 124
1962 109 0 109
1961 114 0 114
1960 139 0 139
1959 171 11 160
1958 165 9 156
1957 165 5 160
1956 223 11 212
1955 237 12 225
1954 248 16 232
1953 272 9 263
1952 300 17 283
1951 282 12 270
1950 326 13 313
1949 341 15 326
1948 342 18 324
1947 337 10 327
1946 357 16 341
1945 403 14 389
1944 433 19 414
1943 362 12 350
1942 429 14 415
1941 415 25 390
1940 436 16 420
1939 476 16 460
1938 468 17 451
1937 486 14 472
1936 511 17 494
1935 521 23 498
1934 556 18 538
1933 590 22 568
1932 689 11 678
1931 603 24 579
1930 650 33 617
1929 693 26 667
1928 833 27 806
1927 812 29 783
1926 911 28 883
1925 945 20 925
1924 959 23 936
1923 933 16 917
1922 1,054 32 1,022
1921 1,054 22 1,032
1920 1,033 37 996
1919 1,063 40 1,023
1918 1,048 29 1,019
1917 967 22 945
1916 930 26 904
1915 896 27 869
1914 763 26 737
1913 684 22 662
1912 718 23 695
1911 539 14 525
1910 631 11 620
1909 515 7 508
1908 465 14 451
1907 498 12 486
1906 416 7 409
1905 485 9 476
1904 466 9 457
1903 403 7 396
1902 433 9 424
1901 368 0 368
1900 500 8 492
1899 354 12 342
1898 345 9 336
1897 343 14 329
1896 388 7 381
1895 344 9 335
1894 329 18 311
1893 258 0 258
1892 294 0 294
1891 227 10 217
1890 261 5 256
1889 276 11 265
1888 235 5 230
1887 185 0 185
1886 163 0 163
1885 160 7 153
1884 148 0 148
1883 139 0 139
1882 120 7 113
1881 85 5 80
1880 78 0 78

Top States for Essie (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 8
62%
GA 5
38%