Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Wallace originates from Old French and Gaelic roots, meaning 'Welshman' or 'foreigner'. It evolved through various forms, reflecting its historical and cultural significance, particularly in Scotland. The name is associated with traits of bravery and honor, largely due to the legacy of William Wallace, and it has no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈwɒlɪs/
Origin
Old French / Gaelic
Etymology
The name Wallace is derived from the Old French term 'walais', which means 'Welshman' or 'foreigner'. It is also rooted in the Gaelic name 'MacGilleWallace', meaning 'son of the servant of Wallace'.
Meaning
Welshman, foreigner
Language Evolution
Walais, Wallis, MacGilleWallace
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in Scotland during the 13th century, particularly associated with the national hero William Wallace, who fought for Scottish independence.
Variants & Derivatives
Wallis, Wally
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Wallace is perceived as a strong, traditional name, often associated with bravery and honor due to its historical connections.
Famous People
William Wallace, Wallace Stegner, Wallace Shawn
📊 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 2,815 peak births in 1923
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Hawaii
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 (1 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 1 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 | 98th of 7545 | 27,539 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 137th of 6773 | 23,706 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 242nd of 7552 | 17,521 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 437th of 10718 | 5,526 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 797th of 16616 | 2,425 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1554th of 24088 | 1,433 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1017th of 23106 | 2,505 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2595th of 9107 | 211 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3060th of 9204 | 160 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 5308th of 12526 | 102 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 11493rd of 19264 | 32 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 23525th of 27321 | 10 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 32490th of 35406 | 7 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 14928th of 30306 | 55 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
6.71% 95th/1416 |
8.41% 116th/1379 |
4.14% 98th/2366 |
6.65% 76th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
9.38% 145th/1546 |
8.74% 136th/1556 |
5.10% 120th/2353 |
8.14% 126th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
12.12% 270th/2227 |
10.49% 255th/2430 |
6.76% 193rd/2853 |
9.91% 275th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
16.68% 490th/2937 |
12.83% 447th/3483 |
10.03% 353rd/3518 |
14.42% 583rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
27.38% 1009th/3685 |
19.60% 877th/4475 |
12.59% 654th/5194 |
20.37% 1287th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
46.97% 2152nd/4582 |
42.04% 2171st/5164 |
19.21% 1405th/7313 |
27.32% 2039th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
22.04% 878th/3984 |
29.51% 1324th/4487 |
16.26% 1109th/6822 |
15.63% 981st/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
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 Hawaii across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the West 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, falling for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 98th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 137th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 242nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 437th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 797th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1554th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1017th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2595th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3060th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5308th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 11493rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 23525th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 32490th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 14928th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.