"unity; the best; one"
Origin: Latin via Old French
Language: English
Ace
Pronunciation: [ AYS ]
Does Ace flow with your last name?
One syllable. No equal. Born to win.
American
English
Australian
Bold
Modern
Strong
Playful
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Names Like Ace
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"excellent; unbeatable"
Origin: Modern American English slang
Language: English
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The Story of Ace
Ace derives from the Latin 'as' (a unit, a whole), which passed through Old French into Middle English as the word for the single pip on a playing card or dice — the highest or lowest value depending on the game. As a given name, Ace is a distinctly modern American invention, emerging as parents sought short, punchy names that evoke excellence and winning. The word has long been slang for 'the best' in American English.
Ace began gaining traction in the 2000s and accelerated sharply in the 2010s as part of the trend toward short, powerful one-syllable names with strong connotations. Celebrity parents played a role: Jessica Simpson named her son Ace Knute Johnson in 2013. The name now sits firmly in the US top 200 and is one of the fastest-rising names of the decade.
In American culture, 'ace' means excellence — acing a test, an ace pilot, a tennis ace. The name carries pure positive connotations of achievement and skill. In the LGBTQ+ community, 'ace' is also shorthand for asexual, a connection that is becoming more recognized among younger parents.
Historical Record
Ace first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 23,217 babies have been named Ace in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ace is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #165 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- An 'ace' in tennis is an unreturnable serve — the ultimate winning shot
- Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) was Jim Carrey's breakthrough role and kept the name in pop culture
- Jessica Simpson's son Ace Knute Johnson (born 2013) helped popularize it as a given name
Ace in Other Languages
French
Ace
German
Ace
Italian
Ace
Spanish
Ace
Japanese
エース
Popularity Over Time
#165
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ace
A
Ace Knute Johnson
Other
2013
Son of singer Jessica Simpson and former NFL player Eric Johnson
A
Ace Frehley
Musician
1949
American guitarist, co-founder of the rock band KISS, known as 'The Spaceman'
A
Ace Ventura Fictional
Other
Fictional eccentric pet detective played by Jim Carrey in the 1994 comedy film Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
A
Ace (One Piece character) Fictional
Other
Portgas D. Ace, beloved fictional character from the manga/anime One Piece
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Compare Ace with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #165
- Total SSA Count
- 2,203
- Cultural Origins
- American English Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ace
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Ace
Phonetic neighbors that share Ace's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Ace is also used as a girl name, ranked #5494.
View Ace as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (American)
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Anglo-Saxon origin
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Luka
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Latin Lucius origin
"light, bringer of light"
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Jace
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Greek origin
"short form of Jason, the healer"
#114 in US
Adam
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Hebrew adamah origin
"red earth, ground"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ace
What does the name Ace mean?
"unity; the best; one" (from Latin via Old French). "excellent; unbeatable" (from Modern American English slang). Ace derives from the Latin 'as' (a unit, a whole), which passed through Old French into Middle English as the word for the single pip on a playing card or dice — the highest or lowest value depending on the game. As a given name, Ace is a distinctly modern American invention, emerging as parents sought short, punchy names that evoke excellence and winning. The word has long been slang for 'the best' in American English.
What is the origin of the name Ace?
Ace has Latin via Old French, Modern American English slang, American, English, and Australian origins. In Latin via Old French, it means "unity; the best; one". In Modern American English slang, it means "excellent; unbeatable".
Is Ace a boy or girl name?
Ace is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #165. As a girl name, it is ranked #5494. Ace is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Ace?
Ace is pronounced AYS.
How popular is the name Ace?
Ace is currently ranked #165 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Ace?
Popular middle name pairings include Ace James, Ace William, Ace Thomas, Ace Michael, Ace Henry, and Ace Robert.
What are good sibling names for Ace?
Names that pair well with Ace as siblings include Jett, Knox, Zara, Cruz, Mila, and Maverick.
How many syllables does Ace have?
Ace has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ace a common or rare name?
Ace is a popular name, ranked #165 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Ace?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Ace
Ace is a boy name with American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "unity; the best; one" in Latin via Old French .
Is Ace a boy or girl name? Ace is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #165 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #5,494. Ace is more commonly used as a boy name.
Ace is currently ranked #165 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Ace has 1 syllable and is pronounced AYS, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Ace include Aceyn, Acen, Aceson . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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