Posy or Posey or Posie is an English given name derived from the English term for a small flower bouquet.[1] A posy is also a word for a single flower.[2] It can also be derived from an English nickname, sometimes used independently, for a formal name such as Josephine.[3][4] The name came into use along with other botanical names for girls in the 1800s.[5] It has also been associated with poesy, referring to a collection of verses.[6] A posie ring is a gold ring with a meaningful verse on its surface. They were exchanged by lovers as a symbol of commitment from the 1500s.[7] Other spelling variants in use include Posee and Posi.[8]

Posy
Making posies by Helen McNiccoll, 1910. One meaning of the name Posy is nosegay.
GenderUnisex
Language(s)English
Origin
MeaningSingle flower or nosegay or diminutive of Josephine.
A post-medieval gold posie ring found in Leicestershire, England. Dated between 1600 and 1800, it is inscribed "God above keep us in love."

Posey is also a surname with various possible English, French, and German etymological origins.[9]

Notable people and characters with the name include:

Women

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Fictional characters

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See also

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  • Pusai (died 344), Christian martyr also known as Posi

Notes

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  1. ^ Lansky, Bruce (2019). 100,000+ Baby Names: The most helpful, complete, & up-to-date name book. Da Capo Lifelong Books. p. 252. ISBN 978-0306845246.
  2. ^ Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition. Merriam-Webster. 2009. ASIN B000SEGJ5S.
  3. ^ "Meaning, origin and history of the name Posy".
  4. ^ "Posy - Baby Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity".
  5. ^ Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006). Oxford Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press. p. 222. ISBN 0-19-861060-2.
  6. ^ Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006). Oxford Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press. p. 222. ISBN 0-19-861060-2.
  7. ^ "Gold 'posy' ring found in County Antrim field". bbc.com. BBC. 10 September 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  8. ^ Lansky, Bruce (2019). 100,000+ Baby Names: The most helpful, complete, & up-to-date name book. Da Capo Lifelong Books. p. 199. ISBN 978-0306845246.
  9. ^ Hanks, Patrick; Lenarčič, Simon; McClure, Peter (November 2022). Dictionary of American Family Names (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0190245115.