Given name & surname
Essie
“resembling a star”·“myrtle”·“resembling the myrtle leaf”
Essie is a variant of Estella. One Latin interpretation is “resembling a star.” In English use, Essie is a diminutive of Esther. Interpretations include “myrtle” (Persian) and “resembling the myrtle leaf” (Persian). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Essie is a variant of Estella. One Latin interpretation is “resembling a star.” In English use, Essie is a diminutive of Esther. Interpretations include “myrtle” (Persian) and “resembling the myrtle leaf” (Persian). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Essie is a variant of Estella. An origin associated with Estella is Latin. In English use, Essie is a diminutive of Esther. A possible origin is Persian, although the derivation remains uncertain.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In English usage, Essie is a diminutive of Esther.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. In English use, Essie is a diminutive of Esther. The history of Esther gives this family its wider story. Esther appears in biblical tradition, giving it a longstanding religious and cultural context.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Essie through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 40,894
- 1,212 boys · 39,682 girls
- Most popular year
- 1919
- 1,063 babies
- 2025
- 47
- #3,306 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +24%
- Rising
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 47 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 3,306 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 23.8% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 1,032 in 1921. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (7). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 7,235 as a first name in 2020; 100 as a surname in 2000.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Essie’s family of names
In English usage, Essie is a diminutive of Esther. Essie has a related form in Estella.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 4
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
People named Essie
- Essie DavisAustralian actressborn 1970
- Essie HollisAmerican basketball player (born 1955)
- Essie Mae Washington-WilliamsAmerican school teacher and writer (1925–2013)
- Essie ShevillAustralian cricketer (1908-1989)
- Essie KelleyAmerican middle-distance runnerborn 1957
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Essie, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Rubie
“behold, a son!” · “as precious as the red gemstone”
>99% girls
Edna
“one who brings pleasure; a delight”
>99% girls
Mallie
“one who is sweet and gentle” · “star of the sea”
>99% girls
Dovie
“resembling a bird of peace” · “a peaceful man”
>99% girls
Mattie
“one who is mighty in battle” · “gift of God”
>99% girls
Antoinette
“a flourishing man; from an ancient Roman family”
>99% girls
Lillie
“resembling the lily”
>99% girls
Iva
“of the yew tree”
>99% girls