Name of the Day: Maisie
She’s the short form of a timeless classic.
Thanks to Laura for suggesting Maisie as Name of the Day.
Laura originally suggested the spelling Maizie. Along with Maisy, it’s a variant you’ll spot from time to time. But it’s Maisie that currently ranks in the UK Top 100 and could follow other British imports to the US.
Maisie comes to us from Margaret, one of those classic appellations worn by saints, queens and many common folk, too. So many women were called Margaret that a raft of nicknames developed over the years. Maisie seems like a sharp departure, until you consider that she’s Scottish in origin – and the Scottish form of Margaret is Mairead.
Famous Maisies are few, and they’re not always wearing it as a nickname. They’re overwhelmingly fictional:
- Henry James’ 1897 novel What Maisie Knew chronicles Maisie Farange’s early years. Her parents divorce and generally behave badly. By her teenage years, Maisie is easily the most mature character in the tale;
- Pint-sized actress Maisie Smith played a young future Queen Elizabeth I in The Other Boleyn Girl and now appears on EastEnders;
- Maisie Wylde is a relatively new character on UK soap opera Emmerdale;
- Maisy Mouse stars in a series of children’s picture books, with friends like Tallulah the Baby Chicken. A show based on the books aired on Nick Jr.;
- Dr. Seuss changed up the spelling for his character in Daisy-Head Mayzie, about a schoolgirl who sprouts a yellow flower from his head. It was published posthumously, in 1995.
But the best known Maisie was Ann Sothern’s character, born on the big screen and later given her own radio show. Mary Anastasia O’Connor went by the stage name Maisie Ravier. An aspiring burlesque dancer, Brooklyn-dwelling Maisie never quite got her big break. But Maisie made Sothern a star.
The first Maisie film debuted in 1939. Several sequels followed in the 1940s, then a CBS radio program called The Adventures of Maisie. If you’ve ever uttered the phrase “Likewise, I’m sure,” then you’ve channeled Maisie Ravier.
While she’s part of the white hot diminutive-trend in the UK – Evie, Millie, Lexi/Lexie, Rosie and Tilly all keep her company in their 2008 Top 100 – she’s never charted in the US Top 1000. That’s not to say there’s no such thing as an American Maisie. There are plenty in the census records. But in the US, odds are good that Maisie isn’t on the birth certificate.
For an American parent in 2009, the challenge is simple: a nickname for what? Margaret is more likely to be called Maggie. Mairead – pronounced MAH raid – isn’t terribly accessible on this side of the Atlantic. And while you could put lots of things on the birth certificate, from Mary Sarah to Marissa, none of them lead logically to Maisie.
Perhaps that’s why she’s gaining appeal as a stand-alone name. And while there’s a chance that Maisie sounds better on a comedienne than a brain surgeon, just like Molly and Sadie have shed their roots as nicknames, Maisie might stand on her own, too.
Filed under: As Seen on TV, Great Scot, Literary Babes, Names for Girls, Names of the Day, Nicknames, Rarities, Silver Screen | 17 Comments
Tags: Anastasia, Evie, Lexi, Lexie, Maggie, Mairead, Maisie, Maisy, Maizie, Margaret, Marissa, Mary, Mayzie, Millie, Molly, Rosie, Sadie, Sarah, Tallulah, Tilly
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I love Maisie. I had a great aunt Maisie and she was brilliant. Seriously contemplating calling a daughter Margaret (after my maternal grandmother) just so I can call her Maisie
Though I love Maggie too so maybe she’d have two nicknames!!
Personally, the name doesn’t appeal to me. I know that Meryl Streep’s daughter goes by Maisie.
I find the name a bit gimicky; I don’t know why. It just does not attract me. I think it’s a bit too nicknamey as a full name. This is actually quite odd, since I am very open-minded about names and very few names I honestly dislike.
It also reminds me of the Afrikaans word for girl – meisie. I think the language connotation puts me off it. It would be like calling my daughter “Girl”, for me.
Sorry for those of you who like the name! I truly mean no offense.If you like it – go for it and use it! On a positive note, it would be refreshing to hear amongst the Emma and Avas
A suggestion for the girl name of the day – Nola
(I hope this hasn’t been suggested before. If I accidentally copied someone, I do apologize )
Nola was NOTD just a few weeks ago. Here is the post: http://appellationmountain.net/2009/12/11/name-of-the-day-nola/ in case you didn’t find it
Meryl Streep’s daughter is actually nicknamed Mamie, I believe.
Right you are, Eva! Her name is Mamie Gummer, and is apparently anickname for Mary Willa. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0336701/bio I think Meryl is a Mary, too.
I love the name Maisie too. Found it in 2005 when I was looking for popular British names that are unusual over here in the US. I like the May sound – May / Mae alone wouldn’t work with our last name.
But I couldn’t get my husband to like it. His biggest problem was the rhyme with “crazy”. He said she’d end up being “Crazy Maisie”. (She did end up driving us a little crazy that first year!
)
I also figured I’d have to spell the name all the time for everyone. Four years on I’m glad we didn’t go with something quite so ‘cutesy’ (I guess the -zee ending does that.) Back then I disliked the name Margaret, but lately I’m starting to like that one some more – though Maggie is the more natural nickname, as you said.
My daughter LOVES the Maisie series of books, so all I can see when I hear the name is that little mouse. I would never choose it for a baby with that connotation.
Were I ever to have to use the name Margaret, she’d be Maisie 100% of the time. I love the nickname, but can’t really stand the full name. Maisie’s definitely my favorite Margaret nickname. I could get behind Daisy, I guess, but it would take some convincing.
Bek – thank you so much for providing that link! That was very sweet and helpful of you.
I went and commented on it.
I’m new here, so please forgive me and bear with me if I mention names that have been listed before.
But truly, that was very kind of you. Thanks
Juliet, if you have a name suggestion, do a search (on the upper right side of the page) for the name first. This way, not only can you see if it’s been done, but you can also get the info on the name you’re looking into. If you don’t find the name, email Abby with your request.
Yes, I did afterwards. I will do that now in the future. Meryl Streep’s real name is Mary. I think the middle name is Louise. I think she combined Mary and Louise to make Meryl.
Ah, Maisy. Not for me (I’m sure no one’s surprised). It’s just so cutesy. Fine for a nickname for a child, but as a full name? Nope.
I so adore Maisie and think she makes a great alternative to Daisy or Molly. Just love her and would really be pushing for her for this baby if my MIL didn’t have a dog by that name.
You know, it does make a great dog name! You’re right.
I like Maisie but prefer sprightly Daisy as a nickname for my beloved Margery. I don’t know any dogs named Maisie, or any dogs for that matter, we are cat people.
But yeah, I could see me naming a girl Margery and calling her Maisie – Daisy on a regular basis easily. I find Maisie sweet, if a touch airy. And the mouse doesn’t bother me at all!
Guess this is an old website but couldn,t resist commenting on the name.Hi! My name is Maisie!Really! I am Maisie Elaine Christine.Gone through my whole life with this name and actually like it because it is different so it makes me unique.My parents were born in England although I am Canadian.I often wondered what my name meant and for many years could never find it in those books that give the meaning or origin of names for babies,but have since found out that it seems to be a Scottish diminutive of Margaret.Some people have actually asked me ,quote “But what,s your real name?” They think Maisie is a nickname.I have only ever met 2 other ladies with this name while I was growing up.I married a man whose mother,s name was Daisy so that was at times a bit confusing for some people.I named my daughter Christine,always loved that name.I believe my mother named me after her sister-in-law Maisie in England.My mom,s name was Gertrude and she hated it.Her family called her Joy.So anyway, I am happy to be Maisie for anyone who is interested to know how the name affects some one as they are growing up.I like it and I wouldn,t change it for anything. The other 2 ladies I knew have both died,so no one else I know has this name.I like being different and unique.Someone has a dog with this name!! That is so cute.Funny too!Thx for listening.BFN. Maisie.