Pacey Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PAY-see //ˈpeɪ.si//
Origin: English; Irish
Meaning: from the place of the pasque flower (English); a form of the name 'Pace' (Irish)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Pacey is believed to have originated from the Old French word "pacier," which means "to pace" or "to walk." This term was derived from the Latin "paciens," the present participle of "pati," meaning "to suffer" or "to endure." The transition of the name into English likely occurred during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Old French names and terms were adopted into the English language, particularly among the nobility and landowners. The name Pacey may have originally been used as a surname before evolving into a given name.
Historically, the name Pacey has been associated with various figures, although specific notable individuals are less documented compared to more common names. The surname Pacey can be traced back to medieval England, where it appeared in various forms, including "Pace" and "Pacey," often denoting a person who was swift or had a quick pace.
The name's association with movement and speed may have contributed to its symbolic significance in literature and culture, representing agility and liveliness. Culturally, names derived from Old French often carry connotations of nobility and chivalry, reflecting the influence of the French language on English culture after the Norman Conquest.
The name Pacey, while not widely prominent in historical texts, resonates with themes of endurance and movement, which can be seen in various literary and artistic expressions. The diminutive form "Pace" has also been used, although it is less common.
Overall, Pacey embodies a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural significance, rooted in the historical interplay between English and French languages.
Fictional characters named Pacey
The following list of fictional characters named Pacey 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.
Pacey Witter is a fictional character from the TV series Dawson's Creek. He is a witty and charming teenager known for his humorous outlook on life and complex relationships with his friends and family.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Pacey, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Pacey was first seen in the United States in 1998.
Pacey has ranked as high as #4002 nationally, which occurred in 2001, and has been most popular in Ohio, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Pacey has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Pacey 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 Pacey 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 Pacey.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 30 | 22 | 8 |
| 2024 | 33 | 22 | 11 |
| 2023 | 32 | 20 | 12 |
| 2022 | 33 | 26 | 7 |
| 2021 | 40 | 29 | 11 |
| 2020 | 28 | 23 | 5 |
| 2019 | 29 | 19 | 10 |
| 2018 | 27 | 14 | 13 |
| 2017 | 21 | 13 | 8 |
| 2016 | 41 | 20 | 21 |
| 2015 | 31 | 16 | 15 |
| 2014 | 37 | 16 | 21 |
| 2013 | 24 | 9 | 15 |
| 2012 | 39 | 25 | 14 |
| 2011 | 41 | 27 | 14 |
| 2010 | 44 | 32 | 12 |
| 2009 | 41 | 34 | 7 |
| 2008 | 37 | 25 | 12 |
| 2007 | 39 | 25 | 14 |
| 2006 | 41 | 31 | 10 |
| 2005 | 56 | 43 | 13 |
| 2004 | 51 | 40 | 11 |
| 2003 | 44 | 33 | 11 |
| 2002 | 38 | 33 | 5 |
| 2001 | 67 | 52 | 15 |
| 2000 | 41 | 34 | 7 |
| 1999 | 29 | 24 | 5 |
| 1998 | 18 | 11 | 7 |
Top States for Pacey (2010)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| OH | 6 |