UK girl's name
Misty
A feminine name derived from the English word for a fine atmospheric mist.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Misty is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Misty popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1894, with 15 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 23 births.
This profile covers 338 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 65% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 339 living people in the UK are called Misty. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Misty ranked #1894 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 15 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 23 girls were registered as Misty.
- • Misty ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #535 in 1979.
- • About 339 living people in the UK are estimated to have Misty as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1894
2024
Births in 2024
15
Latest year
Peak year
2004
23 births
Estimated living
339
2026
Meaning
What does Misty mean?
The name Misty has its roots in the English language and is derived from the Old English word "mist," which means a thin, condensed water vapor suspended in the air. This name evokes a sense of mystery, ethereality, and a connection to nature's elements.
Misty as a given name gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Its appeal lies in its whimsical and poetic nature, often associated with the hazy, dreamy quality of morning mists or the atmospheric presence of fog.
While the name itself does not have a direct historical reference in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been embraced by various individuals throughout history. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Misty can be found in the late 19th century, with the birth of Misty de Burgh (1887-1970), an American actress and singer who performed on Broadway and in vaudeville shows.
Another notable figure with the name Misty was Misty Morgan (1919-2011), an American actress and singer who appeared in numerous films and television shows during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Her career spanned several decades, and she was known for her performances in musicals and comedies.
In the realm of sports, Misty Hyman (born 1979) is a former American competitive swimmer who won a gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly event at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Her victory was considered a major upset, as she defeated the heavily favored Australian swimmer Susie O'Neill.
In the world of literature, Misty Massey (born 1955) is an American author and editor known for her work in the fantasy and science fiction genres. She has published numerous novels and short stories, exploring themes of magic, adventure, and the power of imagination.
Another figure worth mentioning is Misty Upham (1982-2014), a Native American actress and activist who appeared in several films, including "Frozen River" and "August: Osage County." She was a passionate advocate for indigenous rights and environmental causes.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Misty throughout history, each adding their unique contributions and leaving a lasting impact in their respective fields.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Misty over time
The chart below shows babies named Misty registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Misty, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 15 births in 2024, compared with 23 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Misty by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Misty was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #2183 | 62 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2598 | 100 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1573 | 148 | 10 |
| 1990s | #2278 | 28 | 4 |
Geography
Where Misty is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Misty. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Misty ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #535 in 1979.
Across the UK
Misty in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#535 in 1979
1 years of NRS records, 3 total registered
Notable bearers
Famous people named Misty
-
Misty Woods
singer; songwriter
Welsh singer
-
Misty Miller
guitarist
Related
Names similar to Misty
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Misty: questions and answers
How popular is the name Misty in the UK right now?
In 2024, Misty was ranked #1894 for girls in England and Wales, with 15 births registered.
When was Misty most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 23 babies registered as Misty in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Misty?
A feminine name derived from the English word for a fine atmospheric mist.
How many people are called Misty in the UK?
A total of 338 babies have been registered as Misty across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 3 more in Scotland.
Where is Misty most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Misty ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #535 in 1979. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.