Find out how popular the first name Ace has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ace by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Ace is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Ace being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 2,314 male babies and 16 female babies born with the name Ace.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 16 baby girls were named Ace in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Ace

The given name Ace is of English origin, derived from the word "as" meaning "one" or "unity." It was initially used as a nickname or short form for the name Ambrose, which comes from the Greek word "ambrosios," meaning "immortal" or "divine."

Ace is believed to have emerged as a standalone name in the late 19th century, during the Victorian era. It gained popularity as a trendy, modern name, reflecting the spirit of adventure and achievement that characterized the era's fascination with exploration and technological advancements.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Ace can be found in the early 20th century, with Ace Browne, an American baseball player born in 1884. He played for several Major League Baseball teams between 1905 and 1914.

Another notable historical figure with the name Ace was Ace Bailey, an American professional ice hockey player born in 1903. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL) during the 1920s and 1930s.

In the world of aviation, Ace Parker, born in 1912, was a renowned American football player and aviator. He earned the nickname "Ace" for his exceptional skills on the football field and later became a highly decorated pilot during World War II.

Ace Everhart, born in 1944, was an American stock car racing driver who achieved success in the NASCAR circuit throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He won several prominent races and is considered a legend in the sport.

Ace Frehley, born in 1951, is a famous American musician best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the legendary rock band KISS. His stage persona and guitar playing have made him an iconic figure in the rock music world.

While the name Ace was initially more commonly used as a nickname or a shortened form of other names, it has gained popularity as a standalone given name in recent decades, particularly in the United States and certain parts of Europe.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ace was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ace, please contact us.

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