"relating to time or the hours"
Origin: Latin hora (time)
Language: Latin
Horace
Pronunciation: [ h-AWR-uhs ]
Does Horace flow with your last name?
The Roman poet who gave us carpe diem
English
American
European
Latin
Vintage
Classic
Sophisticated
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Horace
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Horace
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"Roman clan name Horatius (origin uncertain)"
Origin: Latin/Etruscan
Language: Latin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Horace
See all →What the Horace report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Horace the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Horace
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Horace head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Horace actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Horace
Horace is the English form of Horatius, a Roman family name of uncertain origin, possibly from the Etruscan language or related to hora meaning time or season. The most famous bearer was Quintus Horatius Flaccus (65-8 BCE), known as Horace, one of ancient Rome's greatest lyric poets. His odes, satires, and Ars Poetica profoundly influenced Western literature for two millennia.
Horace was a staple of Victorian and Edwardian England, popular among educated families who admired classical learning. It declined sharply through the mid-20th century as classical names fell out of fashion, but today it's ripe for the vintage revival trend alongside names like Herbert, Rupert, and Archibald.
Horace the poet gave us phrases still used today: carpe diem (seize the day) appears in his Odes. His influence shaped European literature from Dante to Milton, and his maxim aut disce aut discede (either learn or leave) adorned many school mottos.
Historical Record
Horace first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 13,284 babies have been named Horace in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Horace is past its peak , currently ranked #5,423 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Horace wrote carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero — seize the day, trust as little as possible in tomorrow
- Horace Mann, the 19th-century American education reformer, revolutionized public schooling
- Horace was a top-100 name in the US from the 1880s through the 1920s
Horace in Other Languages
Latin
Horatius
French
Horace
German
Horaz
Italian
Orazio
Spanish
Horacio
Popularity Over Time
#5,423
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Horace
H
Horace Mann
Politician
1796
American education reformer who established the first public school system in the United States
H
Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus)
Writer
Ancient Roman lyric poet (65-8 BCE) who gave us carpe diem, one of the most influential writers in Western literary hist...
Ancient Roman lyric poet (65-8 BCE) who gave us carpe diem, one of the most influential writers in Western literary history
H
Horace Slughorn Fictional
Other
Beloved Potions professor at Hogwarts in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, known for his collector's mentality
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Evryn
Boy
"universe, cosmos (if Turkish-inspired)"
#5,618
Javonni
Boy
"gift of God"
#5,402
Jarad
Boy
"ruling"
#5,298
Tavish
Boy
"Scottish form of Thomas"
#5,505
Kelan
Boy
"little slender one"
#5,581
Compare Horace with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,423
- Total SSA Count
- 18
- Cultural Origins
- English American European Latin
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Race
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Horace
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Horace fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Horace is also used as a girl name, ranked #48617.
View Horace as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Horace →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Horace with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Horace
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Horace and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Horace sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Evryn
Boy
Turkish origin
"universe, cosmos (if Turkish-inspired)"
#5,618 in US
Javonni
Boy
Hebrew origin
"gift of God"
#5,402 in US
Jarad
Boy
Hebrew (alternative interpretation) origin
"ruling"
#5,298 in US
Tavish
Boy
Scottish Gaelic origin
"Scottish form of Thomas"
#5,505 in US
Kelan
Boy
Irish Gaelic caolán origin
"little slender one"
#5,581 in US
Shade
Boy
Old English (sceadu) origin
"shadow, area of darkness"
#5,590 in US
Ariston
Boy
Ancient Greek origin
"the best, most excellent"
#5,269 in US
Daveon
Boy
Hebrew origin
"darling, friend"
#5,552 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Horace's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Horace
What does the name Horace mean?
"relating to time or the hours" (from Latin hora (time)). "Roman clan name Horatius (origin uncertain)" (from Latin/Etruscan). Horace is the English form of Horatius, a Roman family name of uncertain origin, possibly from the Etruscan language or related to hora meaning time or season. The most famous bearer was Quintus Horatius Flaccus (65-8 BCE), known as Horace, one of ancient Rome's greatest lyric poets. His odes, satires, and Ars Poetica profoundly influenced Western literature for two millennia.
What is the origin of the name Horace?
Horace has Latin hora (time), Latin/Etruscan, English, American, European, and Latin origins. In Latin hora (time), it means "relating to time or the hours". In Latin/Etruscan, it means "Roman clan name Horatius (origin uncertain)".
Is Horace a boy or girl name?
Horace is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5423. As a girl name, it is ranked #48617. Horace is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Horace?
Horace is pronounced h-AWR-uhs.
How popular is the name Horace?
Horace is currently ranked #5423 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Horace?
Common nicknames for Horace include Race.
What are good middle names for Horace?
Popular middle name pairings include Horace William, Horace James, Horace Edward, Horace Thomas, Horace Charles, and Horace Albert.
What are good sibling names for Horace?
Names that pair well with Horace as siblings include Archibald, Millicent, Cornelius, Eugenia, Clement, and Augusta.
How many syllables does Horace have?
Horace has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Horace a common or rare name?
Horace is an uncommon name, ranked #5423 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Horace?
Are there other spellings for Horace?
Related spellings include Horacio.
About the Name Horace
Horace is a boy name with English, American, European, and Latin origins . The name means "relating to time or the hours" in Latin hora (time) .
Is Horace a boy or girl name? Horace is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,423 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #48,617. Horace is more commonly used as a boy name.
Horace is currently ranked #5,423 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Horace has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-AWR-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Horace include Race. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Horace include Horacio . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Latin hora (time) Names
Browse all names with this origin
H
Names Starting with H
More boy names like Horace
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis