Rising since 1990, #164 for boys today.
Popularity of Ace since 1882
Babies named Ace per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 56 |
| 1890s | 35 |
| 1900s | 33 |
| 1910s | 156 |
| 1920s | 192 |
| 1930s | 176 |
| 1940s | 199 |
| 1950s | 180 |
| 1960s | 153 |
| 1970s | 218 |
| 1980s | 336 |
| 1990s | 371 |
| 2000s | 1,733 |
| 2010s | 8,857 |
| 2020s | 13,624 |
Meaning & origin
Ace has a strong, vibrant sound that has propelled it up the charts since the 1990s. First recorded in the U.S. in 1882, it was a rare choice for a century. But by 2025, it ranked 164th, with a rate of 1 in 763 births. Its peak year so far is 2022, and it continues to climb. The name is most popular in Hawaii, North Dakota, and Nevada, often pairing well with other short, punchy names. Ace remains a modern, energetic choice, free from heavy historical baggage.
Ace originated as a nickname for someone who excels, derived from the playing card term. The word itself comes from the Latin 'as', meaning a unit or a whole. It has been used as a given name in the United States since the late 19th century, gaining momentum in the 1990s.
Where Ace is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ace” around the world
Where Ace lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
New Zealand
35
babies in 2025
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Sibling names for Ace
Names that share Ace's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Ace
Names whose popularity has moved with Ace's over the last 50 years.
