Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Tracey has its roots in Old French and English, stemming from a place name in Normandy. It carries the meaning of 'place of Thracius' and has evolved from the name Tracy. The name is characterized by its friendly and approachable traits, and it does not have biblical relevance. Its popularity surged in the 20th century, and it remains associated with a vibrant cultural image.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈtreɪsi/
Origin
Old French and English
Etymology
The name Tracey is derived from the Old French name 'Tracy', which originally referred to a place name in Normandy, France. The name is believed to be derived from the Latin 'tractus', meaning 'to pull or draw'.
Meaning
place of Thracius
Language Evolution
Tracy, Tracey
Historical Usage
The name Tracey gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a given name for both genders.
Variants & Derivatives
Tracy, Traci, Tracie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Tracey is often viewed as a friendly and approachable name, commonly associated with the 1980s and 1990s culture.
Famous People
Tracey Ullman, Tracey Emin, Tracey McGrady
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,599 peak births in 1970
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in District of Columbia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (8 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 8 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4320th of 7545 | 51 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3339th of 6773 | 92 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 717th of 7552 | 1,971 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 463rd of 10718 | 4,942 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1283rd of 16616 | 1,101 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3652nd of 24088 | 411 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 7918th of 23106 | 114 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3875th of 9204 | 101 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 257th of 12526 | 21,167 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 106th of 19264 | 54,441 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 419th of 27321 | 9,389 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2417th of 35406 | 1,149 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 5898th of 30306 | 253 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
25.73% 573rd/2227 |
26.34% 640th/2430 |
26.78% 764th/2853 |
29.19% 810th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
14.13% 415th/2937 |
14.59% 508th/3483 |
11.34% 399th/3518 |
16.94% 685th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
44.40% 1636th/3685 |
37.09% 1660th/4475 |
23.72% 1232nd/5194 |
31.57% 1994th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
61.50% 2818th/4582 |
- |
57.95% 4238th/7313 |
67.40% 5030th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - |
100.00% 1547th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
10.87% 242nd/2227 |
7.86% 191st/2430 |
10.83% 309th/2853 |
9.73% 270th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
3.71% 109th/2937 |
2.10% 73rd/3483 |
2.79% 98th/3518 |
4.18% 169th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
10.91% 402nd/3685 |
7.33% 328th/4475 |
7.32% 380th/5194 |
10.02% 633rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
64.14% 2939th/4582 |
38.38% 1982nd/5164 |
31.64% 2314th/7313 |
37.17% 2774th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
71.72% 3218th/4487 |
100.00% 6822nd/6822 |
100.00% 6276th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in District of Columbia across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4320th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3339th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 717th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 463rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1283rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3652nd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 7918th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 9107th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3875th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 257th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 106th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 419th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2417th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5898th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.