Horace Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HOR-iss //ˈhɔːr.ɪs//
Origin: Latin; Old French
Meaning: Latin: 'timekeeper'; Old French: 'brave'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Horace originates from the Latin name "Horatius," which is derived from the ancient Roman family name "Horatius." The etymology of Horatius is uncertain, but it is often linked to the Latin word "hora," meaning "hour" or "time," suggesting a possible association with timekeeping or the passage of time. The name entered the English language through the influence of Latin during the Roman occupation of Britain and later through the Renaissance, when classical texts were rediscovered and translated into English.
Historically, the name Horace is most notably associated with the Roman poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus, commonly known as Horace, who lived from 65 to 8 BCE. His works, including the "Odes" and "Satires," have had a lasting impact on Western literature and have been referenced by numerous writers throughout history.
The name gained further prominence in the English-speaking world through the translation of his works during the Renaissance, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries, when classical literature was highly esteemed. Culturally, the name Horace has been associated with themes of poetry, philosophy, and the arts, reflecting the legacy of its most famous bearer.
The name has also been used in various literary and artistic contexts, symbolizing creativity and intellectual pursuit. In addition, diminutive forms such as "Horry" have emerged in some cultures, though they are less commonly referenced.
Overall, the name Horace carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its classical origins and the enduring influence of its literary associations.
Famous people named Horace
In this section, you will find notable people named Horace. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Horace who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Horace who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Horace Greeley is a newspaper editor and politician best known for founding the New-York Tribune, advocating for the abolition of slavery, and promoting westward expansion.
Horace Silver is a jazz pianist and composer best known for his work with the Horace Silver Quintet, and albums such as Song for My Father and Cape Verdean Blues.
Horace Andy is a reggae singer best known for his collaborations with Massive Attack and songs like Skylarking and Ain't No Sunshine.
Fictional characters named Horace
The following list of fictional characters named Horace is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Horace is a fictional character from the animated film 101 Dalmatians. He is one of the bumbling henchmen working for the villain Cruella de Vil.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Horace, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Horace. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Horace was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Horace has ranked as high as #302 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, Alabama, and South Carolina.
In the past 5 years the name Horace has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Horace is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Horace was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Horace.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2024 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 2023 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 2022 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 2021 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2020 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 2019 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 2018 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 2017 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 2016 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2015 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2014 | 40 | 40 | 0 |
| 2013 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2012 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 2011 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 2010 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 2009 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 2008 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 2007 | 27 | 27 | 0 |
| 2006 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 2005 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 2004 | 48 | 48 | 0 |
| 2003 | 38 | 38 | 0 |
| 2002 | 38 | 38 | 0 |
| 2001 | 59 | 59 | 0 |
| 2000 | 60 | 60 | 0 |
| 1999 | 46 | 46 | 0 |
| 1998 | 50 | 50 | 0 |
| 1997 | 47 | 47 | 0 |
| 1996 | 61 | 61 | 0 |
| 1995 | 70 | 70 | 0 |
| 1994 | 81 | 81 | 0 |
| 1993 | 90 | 90 | 0 |
| 1992 | 91 | 91 | 0 |
| 1991 | 112 | 112 | 0 |
| 1990 | 105 | 105 | 0 |
| 1989 | 114 | 114 | 0 |
| 1988 | 103 | 103 | 0 |
| 1987 | 83 | 83 | 0 |
| 1986 | 104 | 104 | 0 |
| 1985 | 99 | 99 | 0 |
| 1984 | 112 | 112 | 0 |
| 1983 | 115 | 115 | 0 |
| 1982 | 141 | 141 | 0 |
| 1981 | 125 | 125 | 0 |
| 1980 | 122 | 122 | 0 |
| 1979 | 155 | 155 | 0 |
| 1978 | 146 | 146 | 0 |
| 1977 | 158 | 158 | 0 |
| 1976 | 163 | 163 | 0 |
| 1975 | 146 | 146 | 0 |
| 1974 | 174 | 174 | 0 |
| 1973 | 174 | 174 | 0 |
| 1972 | 204 | 204 | 0 |
| 1971 | 255 | 255 | 0 |
| 1970 | 241 | 241 | 0 |
| 1969 | 226 | 226 | 0 |
| 1968 | 247 | 247 | 0 |
| 1967 | 273 | 273 | 0 |
| 1966 | 271 | 271 | 0 |
| 1965 | 306 | 306 | 0 |
| 1964 | 350 | 350 | 0 |
| 1963 | 320 | 320 | 0 |
| 1962 | 348 | 343 | 5 |
| 1961 | 389 | 383 | 6 |
| 1960 | 424 | 419 | 5 |
| 1959 | 453 | 453 | 0 |
| 1958 | 432 | 432 | 0 |
| 1957 | 554 | 546 | 8 |
| 1956 | 539 | 539 | 0 |
| 1955 | 556 | 548 | 8 |
| 1954 | 611 | 611 | 0 |
| 1953 | 660 | 654 | 6 |
| 1952 | 647 | 647 | 0 |
| 1951 | 607 | 602 | 5 |
| 1950 | 687 | 687 | 0 |
| 1949 | 698 | 685 | 13 |
| 1948 | 726 | 719 | 7 |
| 1947 | 741 | 741 | 0 |
| 1946 | 669 | 669 | 0 |
| 1945 | 598 | 598 | 0 |
| 1944 | 648 | 648 | 0 |
| 1943 | 690 | 684 | 6 |
| 1942 | 730 | 730 | 0 |
| 1941 | 741 | 741 | 0 |
| 1940 | 661 | 661 | 0 |
| 1939 | 718 | 711 | 7 |
| 1938 | 728 | 723 | 5 |
| 1937 | 753 | 745 | 8 |
| 1936 | 691 | 691 | 0 |
| 1935 | 788 | 788 | 0 |
| 1934 | 823 | 816 | 7 |
| 1933 | 873 | 865 | 8 |
| 1932 | 889 | 883 | 6 |
| 1931 | 931 | 931 | 0 |
| 1930 | 978 | 973 | 5 |
| 1929 | 1,014 | 1,004 | 10 |
| 1928 | 1,105 | 1,098 | 7 |
| 1927 | 1,191 | 1,180 | 11 |
| 1926 | 1,116 | 1,107 | 9 |
| 1925 | 1,151 | 1,140 | 11 |
| 1924 | 1,166 | 1,166 | 0 |
| 1923 | 1,251 | 1,242 | 9 |
| 1922 | 1,251 | 1,251 | 0 |
| 1921 | 1,313 | 1,313 | 0 |
| 1920 | 1,283 | 1,276 | 7 |
| 1919 | 1,221 | 1,215 | 6 |
| 1918 | 1,199 | 1,199 | 0 |
| 1917 | 1,182 | 1,182 | 0 |
| 1916 | 1,106 | 1,106 | 0 |
| 1915 | 1,125 | 1,114 | 11 |
| 1914 | 846 | 840 | 6 |
| 1913 | 657 | 657 | 0 |
| 1912 | 615 | 615 | 0 |
| 1911 | 300 | 300 | 0 |
| 1910 | 261 | 261 | 0 |
| 1909 | 252 | 252 | 0 |
| 1908 | 235 | 235 | 0 |
| 1907 | 223 | 223 | 0 |
| 1906 | 202 | 202 | 0 |
| 1905 | 212 | 212 | 0 |
| 1904 | 205 | 205 | 0 |
| 1903 | 175 | 175 | 0 |
| 1902 | 199 | 199 | 0 |
| 1901 | 178 | 178 | 0 |
| 1900 | 244 | 244 | 0 |
| 1899 | 169 | 169 | 0 |
| 1898 | 189 | 189 | 0 |
| 1897 | 160 | 160 | 0 |
| 1896 | 204 | 204 | 0 |
| 1895 | 211 | 211 | 0 |
| 1894 | 196 | 196 | 0 |
| 1893 | 171 | 171 | 0 |
| 1892 | 187 | 187 | 0 |
| 1891 | 165 | 165 | 0 |
| 1890 | 162 | 162 | 0 |
| 1889 | 166 | 166 | 0 |
| 1888 | 165 | 165 | 0 |
| 1887 | 160 | 160 | 0 |
| 1886 | 156 | 156 | 0 |
| 1885 | 155 | 155 | 0 |
| 1884 | 154 | 154 | 0 |
| 1883 | 167 | 167 | 0 |
| 1882 | 176 | 176 | 0 |
| 1881 | 152 | 152 | 0 |
| 1880 | 199 | 199 | 0 |
Top States for Horace (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| ME | 5 |