Trace Unisex

Popularity: #578 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TRACE /treɪs/

Origin: Latin; English

Meaning: Latin: 'to trace'; English: 'to follow'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Trace is believed to derive from the Latin word "tractus," meaning "to pull" or "to draw," which evolved into the Old French "tracer," meaning "to trace" or "to outline." This term was used in various contexts, including cartography and art, to denote the act of drawing or marking a path. The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many French words entered the English lexicon, particularly those related to art and craftsmanship.

The name Trace, while primarily used as a verb in English, has also been adopted as a given name, particularly in the 20th century. Historically, the name Trace does not have significant references in biblical texts or among notable historical figures, which makes its historical milestones less pronounced compared to other names.

However, the concept of tracing has been integral to various artistic and scientific endeavors throughout history, symbolizing the importance of precision and clarity in both thought and expression. The name may evoke associations with creativity and the meticulous nature of drawing or mapping, reflecting a broader cultural appreciation for artistry and exploration.

In terms of cultural resonance, the name Trace can symbolize guidance and direction, akin to following a path or outline. This notion of tracing a route has metaphorical implications in various traditions, often representing the journey of life or the pursuit of knowledge.

While diminutive forms or variations of Trace are not widely recognized, the name's connection to the act of tracing imbues it with a sense of purpose and intention, resonating with themes of discovery and creativity that have persisted through the ages.

Famous people named Trace

In this section, you will find notable people named Trace. 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 Trace who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Trace 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.

Trace Adkins is a country music singer best known for Songs About Me, Every Light in the House, and Ladies Love Country Boys.

Fictional characters named Trace

The following list of fictional characters named Trace 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.

Trace is a fictional character from the video game series The Legend of Zelda. They are a mysterious figure who plays a crucial role in the storyline, often guiding the protagonist on their journey.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Trace, 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 Trace. 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 Trace was first seen in the United States in 1956.

Trace has ranked as high as #887 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in Texas, Florida, California, Ohio, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Trace has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Trace 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 Trace was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Trace (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.

State Births Share
TX 38
11%
FL 30
9%
OH 24
7%
CA 19
6%
PA 18
5%
MO 18
5%
TN 16
5%
LA 15
4%
VA 12
4%
AZ 11
3%
GA 11
3%
MI 11
3%
IN 11
3%
KY 9
3%
MD 8
2%

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 Trace.

YearBirths
2024380
2023403
2022373
2021348
2020316
2019302
2018319
2017265
2016287
2015291
2014308
2013382
2012379
2011437
2010494
2009505
2008534
2007437
2006470
2005445
2004447
2003496
2002437
2001369
2000384
1999389
1998524
1997421
1996202
1995161
1994172
1993158
1992127
1991139
1990116
198996
198858
198747
198658
198591
198428
198319
198227
198121
198019
197918
197824
197720
197622
197521
197415
197324
197233
197142
197040
196932
196834
196747
196664
196571
196423
196345
196234
196125
196028
195922
195820
195717
195617