A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Mace since 1880
Babies named Mace per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2016, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Mace's real moment was 1902.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 10 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 27 |
| 1910s | 72 |
| 1920s | 80 |
| 1930s | 48 |
| 1940s | 69 |
| 1950s | 122 |
| 1960s | 204 |
| 1970s | 107 |
| 1980s | 43 |
| 1990s | 90 |
| 2000s | 245 |
| 2010s | 532 |
| 2020s | 328 |
Meaning & origin
Mace is a short, punchy name with two distinct possible origins: the culinary spice derived from nutmeg, or the medieval weapon known as a mace. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1880 and reached its peak rank of 2480 in 1902. After a long period of obscurity, the name began a steady rise in 1988 and in 2025 it was given to about 1 in every 31,631 boys. The name's strongest association in recent years is with the state of Texas, where it appears most frequently. As a sound, Mace fits alongside other modern short names like Jace, Cade, and Sage, while its spice connection gives it a subtle nature-inspired edge.
Mace dates to the late 19th century, likely derived from the surname Mace (from Old French 'masse', referring to the ceremonial club or the spice). It also appears as a rare given name possibly inspired by the spice mace, which comes from nutmeg.
Where Mace is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Mace
Names that share Mace's style, for a brother or sister.
