Declining since 2003, #718 for girls today.
Popularity of Macy since 1885
Babies named Macy per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 21 |
| 1890s | 88 |
| 1900s | 126 |
| 1910s | 215 |
| 1920s | 265 |
| 1930s | 177 |
| 1940s | 123 |
| 1950s | 130 |
| 1960s | 130 |
| 1970s | 260 |
| 1980s | 583 |
| 1990s | 6,901 |
| 2000s | 13,214 |
| 2010s | 7,919 |
| 2020s | 2,597 |
Meaning & origin
Macy has been in use as a given name since the late 19th century, first recorded in 1885. It saw a surge in popularity that peaked in 2003, when it reached its highest rank. Since that peak, the name has been steadily falling in usage, reflecting a broader trend of names with the long E sound losing favor. Despite the decline, Macy remains a recognizable choice, appearing most frequently in West Virginia, Iowa, and Oregon. With a rank of 718 in 2025 and approximately 1 in 4,121 girls receiving the name, Macy is far from common but still in regular use. The name's trajectory suggests it may continue to decline, but its long history and surname heritage give it a sturdy foundation.
Macy originated as a surname, most likely derived from the Old French personal name Mace (a pet form of Matthew) or from a place name like Macey in France. It was brought to England after the Norman Conquest. As a given name, Macy began to be used for girls in the late 19th century and gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, influenced by similar-sounding names like Hailey and Kacey.
Where Macy is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Macy” around the world
Where Macy lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
New Zealand
14
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mace, May
Sibling names for Macy
Names that share Macy's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Hailey, Kailey, Molly, Cassidy, Piper, Darci, Kacy, Markie, Jacy, Jayci, Chelby, Dacey, Frady, Graycie, Lenzy, Maddyson, Tacy, Chancie, Chasey, Cydne, Jasie, Jency, Kelbi, Nelsy, Bassy, Chesnie, Dacie, Delsy, Jazzie, Shealee, Taci
Brothers: Cody, Dylan, Carson, Logan, Tyler, Cordell, Jhase, Machi, Markey, Remmy, Stace, Tagen, Jasten, Jensy, Kinser
Names like Macy
Names whose popularity has moved with Macy's over the last 50 years.
