2 syllables: mais, ie. Stress on mais.
MAY-zee
/ˈmeɪzi/
maisie is pronounced MAY-zee (/ˈmeɪzi/). It has two syllables (mais-ie), with the stress on "mais". Maisie is a feminine given name of uncertain meaning, often used in English-speaking countries. It also appears as a nickname or affectionate form for Margery. In usage, it denotes a personal name rather than a common noun, and is typically capitalized in writing. The name is associated with warmth and whimsy in many contexts, and is widely recognized from literature and popular culture.
Maisie is a feminine given name of uncertain meaning, often used in English-speaking countries. It also appears as a nickname or affectionate form for Margery. In usage, it denotes a personal name rather than a common noun, and is typically capitalized in writing. The name is associated with warmth and whimsy in many contexts, and is widely recognized from literature and popular culture.
"She introduced her daughter, Maisie, to the guests with a bright smile."
"In the novel, Maisie navigates a complicated social world with wit and charm."
"The actress Maisie Williams rose to fame for her role in a popular TV series."
Maisie is pronounced /ˈmeɪ.zi/ in US, UK, and AU varieties. The first syllable bears primary stress and rhymes with “may,” while the second is a soft “zee” or “zee” sound. Mouth position: start with an open mid-front vowel for /eɪ/ in the first syllable and finish with a voiced alveolar sibilant /z/ followed by a high front rounded vowel /i/ atau /iː/ depending on speaker. See audio reference in pronunciation resources for confirmation.
The most common errors are misplacing the stress (putting it on the second syllable) and mispronouncing the /eɪ/ as a short /e/ sound. Another frequent slip is merging /z/ with /s/ or altering the final /i/ to /ɪ/ as in ‘missy.’ Corrective tips: emphasize the first syllable with a clear /eɪ/ diphthong, ensure the final vowel is a pure /i/ as in ‘see,’ and articulate /z/ distinctly before the final vowel—avoid a hissy or hiss-like end. Practice with controlled breath and slow tempo to cement the sequence.
Across accents, /ˈmeɪ.zi/ remains stable, but vowel quality can shift. US speakers may draw the final /i/ closer to /i/ as in ‘see,’ UK speakers might maintain a crisper /iː/ depending on dialect, and some AU speakers may reduce the final vowel slightly or merge with nearby /i/ vowels in certain regional forms. The initial /eɪ/ diphthong is typically a rising glide; the main variation is in the release of /i/ and the strength of the /z/ before it.
The challenge lies in maintaining a clean diphthong /eɪ/ and a crisp, voiced /z/ before a high front vowel /i/. Many speakers blur the boundary between /z/ and the following vowel, or default to a flat /i/ instead of the long /iː/ quality. Additionally, the name’s two-stress syllable pattern can tempt travelers to misplace stress, especially in rapid speech. Focus on a strong first syllable and a separate, voiced /z/ before a crisp /i/ to master it.
A distinctive feature is the tight boundary between the /z/ of the second to last sound and the final /i/. Unlike some names where the last vowel softens, Maisie benefits from a clearly enunciated /zi/ sequence, with the /z/ clearly released and the /i/ as a high front vowel. This makes Maisie sound crisp and playful; practice by saying ‘may-zee’ with equal emphasis on both syllables and a short but audible /i/.
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US: clear /ˈmeɪ.zi/ with a strong rhotic-free feel; the /ɪ/ in final position should be a bright /iː/ or /i/ depending on speaker. UK: crisper final /i/ with more monophthongal tendency; keep the /eɪ/ as a rounded diphthong. AU: tends toward higher tongue position, more centralized vowel in some regions; maintain the same IPA target but listen for regional vowel shifts. All varieties rely on a stable /ˈmeɪ.zi/ with stress on the first syllable, and a distinct /z/ vowel boundary to avoid conflation with /si/. IPA references: /ˈmeɪ.zi/.
Maisie is a diminutive of the Scottish and English name Magement of Margery; it first arose as a pet form in the British Isles during the 19th century. The root Margery traces to the Greek margarites meaning ‘pearl,’ though the precise path in Maisie arises from the affectionate -ie diminutive suffix in Scots and Northern English speech. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Maisie appeared independently as a given name in literature and newspapers, then gained broader use as a standalone given name in the English-speaking world. Its popularity has been sustained by literary associations (various characters named Maisie) and by its soft, approachable phonology that appeals as a friendly nickname. The name’s evolution reflects a broader trend of turning traditional names into endearing, easily pronounceable forms while preserving a sense of personal warmth and familiarity.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "maisie" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "maisie" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "maisie"
-azy sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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