Trace Boy

Popularity: #616 · 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.

TroyTateTannerTylerTobiasTrevor

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.

TreyTroyTrentTravisTateTalonTannerTobias

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Trace was first seen in the United States in 1956.

Trace has ranked as high as #1083 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.

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.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 340 340 0
2024 388 383 5
2023 404 404 0
2022 373 373 0
2021 348 348 0
2020 316 316 0
2019 302 302 0
2018 319 319 0
2017 266 266 0
2016 287 287 0
2015 291 291 0
2014 313 308 5
2013 382 382 0
2012 379 379 0
2011 437 437 0
2010 494 494 0
2009 505 505 0
2008 534 534 0
2007 437 437 0
2006 470 470 0
2005 445 445 0
2004 447 447 0
2003 501 496 5
2002 437 437 0
2001 369 369 0
2000 384 384 0
1999 397 389 8
1998 530 524 6
1997 428 421 7
1996 213 202 11
1995 161 161 0
1994 172 172 0
1993 158 158 0
1992 132 127 5
1991 144 139 5
1990 116 116 0
1989 102 96 6
1988 58 58 0
1987 52 47 5
1986 67 58 9
1985 101 91 10
1984 35 28 7
1983 27 19 8
1982 32 27 5
1981 28 21 7
1980 19 19 0
1979 23 18 5
1978 30 24 6
1977 20 20 0
1976 36 22 14
1975 33 21 12
1974 22 15 7
1973 31 24 7
1972 49 33 16
1971 55 42 13
1970 65 40 25
1969 44 32 12
1968 50 34 16
1967 61 47 14
1966 77 64 13
1965 85 71 14
1964 30 23 7
1963 57 45 12
1962 53 34 19
1961 35 25 10
1960 35 28 7
1959 27 22 5
1958 20 20 0
1957 17 17 0
1956 17 17 0

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. 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
TX 38
11%
FL 30
9%
OH 24
7%
CA 19
5%
PA 18
5%
MO 18
5%
TN 16
5%
LA 15
4%
VA 12
3%
CO 12
3%
IN 11
3%
AZ 11
3%
GA 11
3%
MI 11
3%
KY 9
3%
NC 8
2%
MD 8
2%
IL 8
2%
AL 7
2%
OK 7
2%
IA 7
2%
MS 7
2%
AR 6
2%
NY 6
2%
UT 6
2%
WA 6
2%
KS 5
1%
SC 5
1%
SD 5
1%