Tracy
Tracy is a girl's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Warlike, courageous, or belonging to Thracius.
Origin and history
Tracy is derived from an Irish surname meaning descendant of Tresaigh (meaning warlike or courageous) or from a French place name meaning estate of Thracius. Originally used as a surname, it gained immense popularity in the United States as a given name for girls in the mid-to-late 20th century. Today, it remains a recognizable, classic name, though its usage for newborns has declined significantly.
Popularity in the United States
251,393 babies in the United States have been named Tracy since 1880. It ranks #163 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1644.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.6 %)
- NY (7 %)
- OH (6 %)
- PA (5.6 %)
- IL (5.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 48 |
| 1890-1900 | 94 |
| 1900-1910 | 78 |
| 1910-1920 | 150 |
| 1920-1930 | 168 |
| 1930-1940 | 164 |
| 1940-1950 | 911 |
| 1950-1960 | 11,363 |
| 1960-1970 | 103,780 |
| 1970-1980 | 95,536 |
| 1980-1990 | 28,492 |
| 1990-2000 | 6,683 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,448 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,021 |
| 2020-2029 | 457 |
Famous people named Tracy
- Tracy Chapman: Singer, Songwriter
- Tracy Austin: Tennis Player, Sports Commentator
- Tracy Nelson: Actress, Writer
Nicknames
Trace, Tracie
Fun facts
- Tracy originally developed both as an Irish Gaelic patronymic surname and as an Anglo-Norman place name.
- The name reached peak popularity in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, consistently ranking among the top female names.