Grace: Meaning, Origin & Everything You Need to Know
Grace is an English virtue name from the Latin gratia, meaning 'favour', 'goodwill' or 'thanks'.
At a Glance
- Pronunciation
- GRAYSSΙ‘reΙͺs
- Origin
- English
- Meaning
- Grace is an English virtue name from the Latin gratia, meaning 'favour', 'goodwill' or 'thanks'.
- Gender
- Girl's name
- Syllables
- 1
- Nicknames
- Gracie, Gray
- US Popularity (2025)
- #38 β π Falling
What Does Grace Mean?
Grace comes from the Latin gratia, which meant favour, kindness and gratitude. In Christian theology it became the word for God's unearned goodwill toward people, and that is the sense behind the hymn 'Amazing Grace', written by the English clergyman John Newton and published in 1779.
English Puritans in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries popularised virtue names such as Grace, Faith, Hope and Prudence, and Grace is the one that never really left. It has been in the US top 100 for most of the last century and a half, and reached #13 in 1890, 2003 and 2004.
It works equally well as a first or a middle name, and it is one of the few names that is also an ordinary English word with a pleasant meaning in both senses: elegance of movement and goodwill.
How Popular Is Grace?
Grace was #19 in 2015, #28 in 2020 and #38 in 2025, after peaking at #13 in 2003 and 2004.
Source: US Social Security Administration (SSA) baby name data, ssa.gov/oact/babynames, 2025.
Middle Names That Go with Grace
Classic pairings
- Grace Elizabeth
- Grace Catherine
- Grace Eleanor
- Grace Margaret
Modern pairings
- Grace Wren
- Grace Marlowe
- Grace Everly
- Grace Juniper
One-syllable options
- Grace Rose
- Grace Jane
- Grace Claire
- Grace Belle
Family-name bridges
- Grace Ann
- Grace Louise
- Grace Marie
- Grace Lynn
Names Similar to Grace
If you love Grace, you might also like these names with a similar feel, origin, or sound.
Sibling Names That Go with Grace
π Brother names
π Sister names
Famous People Named Grace
- Grace KellyAmerican actress who married Prince Rainier III and became Princess of Monaco in 1956.
- Grace HopperAmerican computer scientist and Navy rear admiral who helped create COBOL.
- Grace JonesJamaican-born singer, model and actress.
Browse More Baby Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Grace
Is Grace a boy or girl name?
Grace is primarily a girl's name. It is very rarely used for boys.
How do you pronounce Grace?
Grace is pronounced GRAYSS (IPA: Ι‘reΙͺs). It has 1 syllable. Common nicknames include Gracie, Gray.
Is Grace an English name?
Grace is of English origin. Grace is an English virtue name from the Latin gratia, meaning 'favour', 'goodwill' or 'thanks'.
What does Grace mean?
Grace is an English virtue name from the Latin gratia, meaning 'favour', 'goodwill' or 'thanks'.
Grace comes from the Latin gratia, which meant favour, kindness and gratitude. In Christian theology it became the word for God's unearned goodwill toward people, and that is the sense behind the hymn 'Amazing Grace', written by the English clergyman John Newton and published in 1779.
Is Grace a popular name in 2026?
Yes, Grace is a highly popular name. It ranked #38 in the United States in 2025 according to the Social Security Administration. The name is gradually declining in popularity but still firmly mainstream. Grace was #19 in 2015, #28 in 2020 and #38 in 2025, after peaking at #13 in 2003 and 2004.
What are good middle names for Grace?
Good middle names for Grace include classic choices like Grace Elizabeth and Grace Catherine, modern options like Grace Wren and Grace Marlowe, and crisp one-syllable pairings like Grace Rose and Grace Jane. The best middle name depends on your surname and personal style.
Discussing Grace with your partner?
Match on it in Namely β swipe through baby names together, and celebrate when you both say yes to the same one.