UK girl's name
Posy
A diminutive of Josephine meaning "flower" or "bouquet" of English origin.
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.
Posy is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Posy popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1603, with 19 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 24 births.
This profile covers 241 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 2002 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, 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 79% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 240 living people in the UK are called Posy. 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
- • Posy ranked #1603 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 19 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2021, when 24 girls were registered as Posy.
- • About 240 living people in the UK are estimated to have Posy as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1603
2024
Births in 2024
19
Latest year
Peak year
2021
24 births
Estimated living
240
2026
Meaning
What does Posy mean?
The given name Posy has its origins in the English language, derived from the word "posy," which refers to a small bunch of flowers or a single flower. The name likely emerged in England during the 16th or 17th century, a time when floral names became popular.
Historically, the word "posy" has been used to describe small bouquets or nosegays, often carried as a fragrant accessory or given as a romantic gesture. It is believed that the name Posy was initially given to children as a nod to their delicate and blooming nature, much like a small bouquet of flowers.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Posy can be found in the writings of William Shakespeare. In his play "Hamlet," written around 1601, a character named Ophelia mentions "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray you, love, remember: and there is pansies, that's for thoughts." This reference to "pansies" is thought to be an early use of the word "posy."
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Posy. One such person was Posy Simmonds, an English writer and illustrator born in 1945. She is best known for her long-running satirical comic strip "Gemma Bovery," which was later adapted into a film.
Another notable Posy was Posy Fossil, a British artist and sculptor born in 1938. She is renowned for her large-scale steel sculptures, many of which can be found in public spaces throughout the United Kingdom.
In the realm of literature, Posy Lamb was an American author and educator born in 1925. She is best remembered for her children's book "Mrs. Brice's Mice," which won the Newbery Medal in 1983.
Posy Simmonds, another English writer and illustrator, was born in 1947. She is known for her critically acclaimed graphic novels, such as "Tamara Drewe" and "Cassandra Darke," which explore themes of modern English life.
Lastly, Posy Ringdahl was a Swedish singer and actress born in 1923. She enjoyed a successful career in both film and music, and is remembered for her roles in several Swedish movies and her popular recordings from the 1940s and 1950s.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Posy throughout history, showcasing its enduring appeal and connection to the delicate beauty of flowers.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Posy over time
The chart below shows babies named Posy registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 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 Posy, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 19 births in 2024, compared with 24 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Posy by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Posy 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 | #1531 | 101 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3277 | 101 | 10 |
| 2000s | #3429 | 39 | 7 |
Related
Names similar to Posy
- Poppy 52,802
- Phoebe 47,609
- Paige 24,717
- Penelope 13,109
- Pippa 6,346
- Polly 5,678
- Philippa 4,446
- Penny 4,394
- Paris 4,372
- Piper 3,961
- Pearl 3,516
- Paisley 3,419
FAQ
Posy: questions and answers
How popular is the name Posy in the UK right now?
In 2024, Posy was ranked #1603 for girls in England and Wales, with 19 births registered.
When was Posy most popular?
The peak year on record was 2021, with 24 babies registered as Posy in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Posy?
A diminutive of Josephine meaning "flower" or "bouquet" of English origin.
How many people are called Posy in the UK?
A total of 241 babies have been registered as Posy across the 22 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
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.