How to say it
HAT · tie
/ˈhæt.i/
Feminine
Hattie
Home-ruler
What it means
An English pet form of Harriet, the feminine of Henry, 'ruler of the home.'
Hattie is the cozy short for Harriet, which is the feminine of Henry, from Germanic roots meaning 'home' and 'ruler.' It was everywhere in the 1800s, faded, and is now back with the vintage-nickname revival beside Sadie, Millie, and Hallie. Hattie McDaniel made history as the first Black performer to win an Academy Award. It is warm, plucky, and old-fashioned in the best way.
Popularity over time
peaked at #27 in 1880, currently #334 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–present. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Short for Harriet; happily used on its own now.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Hattie McDaniel first African American to win an Academy Award
Spelling variants
- Hatty
- Harriet
- Hattie
Names with the same feeling
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By meaning
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