Wallace
Wallace is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
Foreigner, Welshman, or stranger.
Origin and history
Wallace originated as a surname meaning 'Welshman' or 'foreigner' in Anglo-Norman French. Historically tied to Scottish national hero Sir William Wallace, it transitioned into a traditional masculine given name in the English-speaking world. In the U.S., it enjoyed steady popularity in the early 20th century and remains a recognizable classical choice today.
Popularity in the United States
83,263 babies in the United States have been named Wallace since 1880. It ranks #355 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #889.
States where it is most popular
- NY (5.3 %)
- TX (5.3 %)
- GA (4.7 %)
- CA (4.7 %)
- PA (4.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,009 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,199 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,654 |
| 1910-1920 | 8,681 |
| 1920-1930 | 20,916 |
| 1930-1940 | 13,241 |
| 1940-1950 | 11,464 |
| 1950-1960 | 9,446 |
| 1960-1970 | 5,948 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,860 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,846 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,099 |
| 2000-2010 | 889 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,589 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,422 |
Famous people named Wallace
- Wallace Stevens: Poet, Writer
- Wallace Shawn: Actor, Playwright
- Wallace Stegner: Novelist, Historian
Nicknames
Wally, Wallys
Fun facts
- The name derived from the Old French word 'waleis', used to denote someone from Wales or a Brythonic speaker.
- It is strongly associated with Sir William Wallace, a key figure in the 13th-century Scottish Wars of Independence.