"unity; the best; one"
Origin: Latin via Old French
Language: English
Ace
Pronunciation: [ AYS ]
Boy Name
#165 Most Popular
Rising
1 Syllable
One syllable. No equal. Born to win.
American
English
Australian
Bold
Modern
Strong
Playful
Meaning & Origin
"excellent; unbeatable"
Origin: Modern American English slang
Language: English
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.
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
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
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
Pairs Well With
Ace James
Ace William
Ace Thomas
Ace Michael
Ace Henry
Ace Robert
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Ace is also used as a girl name, ranked #5494.
View Ace as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.