Dace

Pronunciation: [ d-AYS ]

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Boy Name #5,742 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables 4 Letters

A rare Baltic name with ancient Indo-European roots

Latvian Baltic

Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated

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Meaning & Origin

"Baltic traditional name, possibly related to David meaning beloved"
Origin: Latvian
Language: Latvian
"freshwater fish of the carp family (in English)"
Origin: Old French dars
Language: English

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Things to Know About This Name

  • In English, dace is the name of a common freshwater fish, which may be an unexpected association

The Story of Dace

Dace is a traditional Latvian name with Baltic roots. In Latvia it functions primarily as a feminine name but occasionally appears for boys. The name has a crisp, Nordic character reflecting the ancient Baltic linguistic tradition, which is one of the oldest surviving Indo-European language branches, closely related to ancient Sanskrit.

Dace is a traditional Baltic name with modest use in Latvia. Outside of the Baltic region the name is quite rare, giving it a distinctive identity for families seeking an unusual name with genuine cultural heritage.

In Latvia, Dace is part of the rich Baltic naming tradition. Latvia has a unique system of name days where each name has a designated celebration day on the calendar, and Dace is included in this tradition honoring Baltic heritage.

Historical Record

Dace first appeared in US Social Security records in 1958.

Over 508 babies have been named Dace in the United States since SSA records began.

Today, Dace is past its peak , currently ranked #5,742 for boy names in the US .

Fun Facts

  • Dace is also the common name of a freshwater fish found across Europe and North America
  • Latvia has one of the oldest living Indo-European languages, preserving features of ancient speech
  • The Latvian name day calendar includes specific days dedicated to traditional Latvian names

Dace in Other Languages

English Dace
Latvian Dace
Russian Даце
Lithuanian Dace

Popularity Over Time

#5,742
Current Rank
Peaked 1958 Based on SSA data 1880–present

Famous People Named Dace

D

Dace Melabarde

Politician

1971

Latvian politician who served as Minister of Culture, a notable bearer of this Baltic name

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Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#5,742
Total SSA Count
16
Cultural Origins
Latvian Baltic
Pronunciation
Moderate
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Low

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Dac

Middle Name Ideas

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Middle Names

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Sibling Names

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Also a Girl Name

Dace is also used as a girl name, ranked #64928.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dace

What does the name Dace mean?
"Baltic traditional name, possibly related to David meaning beloved" (from Latvian). "freshwater fish of the carp family (in English)" (from Old French dars). Dace is a traditional Latvian name with Baltic roots. In Latvia it functions primarily as a feminine name but occasionally appears for boys. The name has a crisp, Nordic character reflecting the ancient Baltic linguistic tradition, which is one of the oldest surviving Indo-European language branches, closely related to ancient Sanskrit.
What is the origin of the name Dace?
Dace has Latvian, Old French dars, and Baltic origins. In Latvian, it means "Baltic traditional name, possibly related to David meaning beloved". In Old French dars, it means "freshwater fish of the carp family (in English)".
Is Dace a boy or girl name?
Dace is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5742. As a girl name, it is ranked #64928. Dace is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Dace?
Dace is pronounced d-AYS.
How popular is the name Dace?
Dace is currently ranked #5742 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dace?
Common nicknames for Dace include Dac.
What are good middle names for Dace?
Popular middle name pairings include Dace James, Dace John, Dace Erik, Dace Karl, and Dace Leon.
What are good sibling names for Dace?
Names that pair well with Dace as siblings include Janis, Marta, Anita, Andris, Ruta, Liga, and Karlis.
How many syllables does Dace have?
Dace has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dace a common or rare name?
Dace is an uncommon name, ranked #5742 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Dace?
Dace pairs well with Kyari, Dhyan, Dillion, Kosta in style and sound.
Are there other spellings for Dace?
Related spellings include Dacari.

About the Name Dace

Dace is a boy name with Latvian and Baltic origins . The name means "Baltic traditional name, possibly related to David meaning beloved" in Latvian .

Is Dace a boy or girl name? Dace is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,742 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #64,928. Dace is more commonly used as a boy name.

Dace is currently ranked #5,742 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Dace has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AYS, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Dace include Dac. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Dace include Dacari . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

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